The Illustrated Bartsch (TIB) is an extensive compendium of European old master prints and commentary, published by the Abaris Books imprint of OPAL Publishing Corporation. It is based on the 21 volume Le Peintre-Graveur, by Adam von Bartsch, published in the early nineteenth century, which listed the prints and gave a concise description without illustrations, noting different states. The Illustrated Bartsch has maintained its position as the premier reference work in the field of European old master prints for over 40 years; it consists of images of European master prints from around 1420 until around 1850, with extensive commentaries. This 400-year span details the origins of printmaking, from entirely manually created and pulled prints, to the introduction of mechanical printing presses and photography.
The cooperation and contribution of many of the worlds finest art historians have helped the work maintain its relevance as an art reference manual by reflecting the ongoing progress of scholarship. The continual evolution of art history and scholarship provide new additions and attributions (as well as de-attributions), which have caused the project to grow exponentially. Bartsch's original 24 volume list has grown to over 100 volumes under the Abaris Books imprint, which was, in 2010, compiling further volumes.