See the list of recommended databases under the Finding Articles tab.
When searching for sources, use your keywords, do not type in whole sentences.
There is no one 'correct' search word to use. Different keywords will give you more results. Think of words that mean the same or something similar as your topic and try those words too. E.g. French, France, Francophone, French Colonial
You may need to broaden or narrow your search terms depending on your results :
Broader Search: Painting instead of Fresco
Narrower Search: Chiaroscuro instead of Shadow
Use the asterisk * to truncate words and widen your search. Impression* will search for Impressionism and Impressionist
Use quotation marks to keep phrases together: e.g. "Harlem Renaissance" "Dutch Golden Age"
e.g. search Baroque AND Portrait* AND Dress
"Dutch Golden Age" AND Painting AND Cloth*
Baroque AND Painting AND (Clothing OR Dress) AND symbolism
Try your search terms in different combinations to get the greatest number of results.