The Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)

The Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) is a specialized structured vocabulary developed by the Getty Research Institute to categorize and describe art, architecture, and cultural objects. It provides standardized terms and definitions to help museums, libraries, and cultural institutions organize and share information about their collections consistently. By using the AAT, professionals can ensure clear communication, improve searchability, and facilitate research across different collections and disciplines. Essentially, it acts as a controlled language tool that brings clarity and uniformity to descriptions of visual and architectural works.