Lost in digitalization? Using data as a source for quantitative art history

Panel that will be held at the DHBenelux 2026 conference. Abstract: The rapid advancements of data methods and technologies, coupled with the increasing availability of data from museums, researchers, and art-related institutions, open new avenues for applying data analysis to the field of art history. Nevertheless, art historical data are complex artifacts, whose selection reflects the interests of current and past art collectors and curators, and which often rely on uncertain, interpretative, and incomplete information. Furthermore, only a limited part of such data had been digitalized. In this context, the open question is how it is possible to conduct faithful and relevant quantitative analyses in the art history sector, given these limits and challenges. This panel aims to address this issue with speakers from an art historical, technical, or mixed background to discuss which adaptations are needed from statistics, biology, and data science to conduct quantitative analyses that are meaningful to advance art historical knowledge.