This paper traces the development of the discipline of art history, particularly in relation to its attendant documentation (both textual and visual), and the bibliographical ‘machinery’ which has been developed to control it. Problems of control, organisation and retrieval are discussed, with particular emphasis on subject analysis. By drawing attention to the difficulties which have beset this field in the past, some pointers for those involved in current projects such as the Art and Architecture Thesaurus project, the videodisc, etc., where technology may prove to be a significant tool, are identified.