Search all collections
The “Search all collections” field on the Home page allows you to perform a basic search by typing one or more words. This search explores all fields in the database for all the collections preserved in the Fondation Custodia (drawings, paintings, portrait miniatures, prints, letters & manuscripts, Indian miniatures, objects). Please note that not all the collections are currently available and that only a selection of works have been published; other works of art will be added on an ongoing basis. The number of results in each collection are consequently shown next to each collection icon. By clicking on a collection icon, you can access a more detailed list of the results within that collection.
Searches in this field function in the same way as other search facilities (Google, etc.). Using quotes will return exact matches, or using an asterisk following a term will retrieve results including words beginning with, ending with, or containing the word entered. For example, searching for port* will find 'port', 'ports', ‘porthole’, etc. This field also permits searches on different variations of artists’ names. For more search tips using wildcard, fuzzy searches and Boolean operators, see further below.
Search in a collection
By first selecting a collection in the menu (upper left) or by clicking on a collection icon on the Home page, you can make a direct search within that collection (for the moment only a search in Drawings is available). The text field “Enter your search term” allows you to perform a basic search by typing one or more words. This search explores all fields in the database.
Searches in this field function in the same way as other search facilities (Google etc.). Using quotes will return exact matches, or using an asterisk following a term will retrieve results including words beginning with, ending with, or containing the word entered. For example, searching for port* will find 'port', 'ports', ‘porthole’, etc. This field also permits searches on different variations of artists’ names. For more search tips using wildcard, fuzzy searches and Boolean operators, see further below.
After entering your keyword(s), you can apply the filters below to refine the results.
Using the filters
Below the search field “Enter your search term”, several filters are available for a guided search or for refining the results. This search only queries the designated fields. You can use the arrows to go through the lists, or use the grey text search box to access the desired term directly. These terms, which are in most cases controlled lists, can then be used to retrieve a more focused set of object results.
General remarks about the filters:
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Enter search term(s) in the grey text box
Each category is programmed to automatically look up the relevant list of terms using an ‘auto-complete’ function. As you type a search term, options incorporating the string of letters you have just typed in will start to appear. This is available for all filters except for the searches through date (creation date and acquisition date), where you can either use the timeline by sliding the start date and the end date, or by using the date fields below the timeline, using the arrows or typing directly the desired start date and end date.
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Select a term from the list
Click on a term from the list proposed under the filters in order to add it to your search. You will immediately see the corresponding results below.
If necessary, repeat to add more terms to your search, reusing the same filter or adding terms from other filters.
To remove a term, click on the ‘x’.
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View and sort results
The results and the number of results will appear immediately below the search options and can be viewed as a list or in one of the two types of image grids available. A selection of the information about the object is shown either next to the image in the list view, or by moving the cursor over the image in the mosaic views.
Scroll downwards to see the results and browse through the different result pages by using the arrows at the bottom of the page to the right.
The results can be sorted in different ways, by selecting an option under ‘Sort by’, available to the left next to the number of results. You can either sort by ‘Artist/Producer’, ‘Relevance’, ‘Inventory number’, ‘Start date of creation’ or ‘Acquisition date’.
You can select an image by clicking on it, in order to access the full information about the work of art.
Search tips using wildcard, fuzzy searches or Boolean operators
This website uses the Solr search engine. Solr supports term modifiers for making wildcard and fuzzy searches.
Exact match
Using quotes:
Search for a full string using quotes. For example, to search on an exact combination of words, like “Figure Studies’, use quotes.
Tip: for a query on an inventory number containing the characters ( and ), make an exact string search by placing the search term in quotes: "2016-P.105(12)"
Wildcard Searches
Wildcard characters can be applied to single terms, but not to search phrases.
Using ?
To perform a wildcard search for a single character (wildcard matches a single character), use the question mark ? symbol. For example, the search string te?t would match both test and text.
Using *
To perform a wildcard search for multiple characters (wildcard matches zero or more sequential characters), use the asterisk * symbol. For example, the wildcard search: tes* would match test, testing, and tester. You can also use wildcard characters in the middle of a term. For example: te*t would match test and text; *est would match pest and test.
Fuzzy Searches
Solr also supports fuzzy searches. Fuzzy searches discover terms that are similar to a specified term without necessarily being an exact match.
Using ~
To perform a fuzzy search, use the tilde ~ symbol at the end of a single-word term. For example, to search for a term similar in spelling to "roam" use the fuzzy search:
roam~
This search will match terms like roams, foam, and foams. It will also match the word "roam" itself.
Boolean operators
Using AND
Requires both terms to be present for a match. For example: Fontaine AND Percier gives all results where Fontaine is cited with Percier’s name.
Using NOT
Requires that the following term not be present. For example: Fontaine NOT Percier shows all results with the name of Fontaine but not with Perciers' name.
Using OR
Requires that either term (or both terms) be present for a match. For example: Fontaine OR Percier gives all the results with the name of Fontaine as well as the results with the name of Percier.
For all other forms of queries and additional information, see: https://lucene.apache.org/solr/guide/6_6/the-standard-query-parser.html