Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is artcyclopedia.com legit or a scam?
artcyclopedia.com was registered Nov 23, 1998 (27 years old), per public registration records. AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns artcyclopedia.com?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for artcyclopedia.com. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was artcyclopedia.com registered?
artcyclopedia.com's registration dates to Nov 23, 1998 (27 years old), per public registration records. Network Solutions, LLC is the registrar on record today.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Lifeline · artcyclopedia.com over time
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 27 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · one registrar since Jul 4, 2011 · no registrant change on record since 2007 · last checked Nov 13, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredNov 23, 1998artcyclopedia.com was registered on Nov 23, 1998.Source: RDAP, fetched Nov 9, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageSep 28, 2006 – Apr 8, 2014An AboutUs wiki page described artcyclopedia.com from Sep 28, 2006 to Apr 8, 2014 (12 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
Network Solutions, LLCNetwork Solutions, LLCJul 4, 2011 – Nov 9, 2026 (latest)Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 4, 2011 and most recently on Nov 9, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Nov 9, 2026
Registrant
Registrant recordsJul 26, 2007 – Apr 24, 2026Registration records for artcyclopedia.com are held from Jul 26, 2007 to Apr 24, 2026 (151 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
No registrant changes recorded, 2007–2026
Zone file
Nameservers: artcyclopedia.com, specifica.comNameservers: artcyclopedia.com, specifica.comJul 26, 2007 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com nameservers (ns.artcyclopedia.com, server3.specifica.com) for artcyclopedia.com from Jul 26, 2007 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
No certificate recorded yet.
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (12)
Nov 23, 1998Registration: artcyclopedia.com was registered on Nov 23, 1998.Source: RDAP, fetched Nov 9, 2026
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “definitive: We have compiled a comprehensive index of every artist represented at hundreds of museum sites, image archives, and other online resources. We have started out by covering the biggest and best sites around, …”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Sep 28, 2006 – Apr 8, 2014AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described artcyclopedia.com from Sep 28, 2006 to Apr 8, 2014 (12 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 26, 2007 – Apr 24, 2026Registrant: Registration records for artcyclopedia.com are held from Jul 26, 2007 to Apr 24, 2026 (151 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jul 26, 2007 – Oct 17, 2013Zone file: Registration records listed artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com nameservers (ns.artcyclopedia.com, server3.specifica.com) for artcyclopedia.com from Jul 26, 2007 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Said about itself in 2006
Jul 1, 2006
“definitive: We have compiled a comprehensive index of every artist represented at hundreds of museum sites, image archives, and other online resources. We have started out by covering the biggest and best sites around, …”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Current AboutUs recordJun 21, 2026 – Nov 9, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Nov 9, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Nameservers: artcyclopedia.com, specifica.comOct 18, 2013 – Jun 1, 2014artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com (ns.artcyclopedia.com, server3.specifica.com) were the nameservers listed for artcyclopedia.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Jun 1, 2014 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.usJan 24, 2015 – Apr 3, 20181and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us (ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org…) were the nameservers listed for artcyclopedia.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Jan 24, 2015 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
DNS moved to 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.usJan 24, 2015artcyclopedia.com's nameservers moved from artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com to 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us at some point between Jun 1, 2014 and Jan 24, 2015. Last seen at artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com: Jun 1, 2014 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). First seen at 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us: Jan 24, 2015 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 8 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (ICANN zone-file snapshot → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Nameservers: 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.usNameservers: 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.usApr 4, 2018 – Apr 24, 2026Registration records listed 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us nameservers (ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org…) for artcyclopedia.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Apr 24, 2026. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Seen in the .com zone fileJul 28, 2026 – Nov 13, 2026 (latest)First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Jul 28, 2026; latest sighting Nov 13, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 13, 2026: ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org, ns-us.1and1-dns.us.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 13, 2026
Jul 4, 2011 – Nov 9, 2026Registrar: Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 4, 2011 and most recently on Nov 9, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Nov 9, 2026
Oct 18, 2013 – Jun 1, 2014Zone file: artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com (ns.artcyclopedia.com, server3.specifica.com) were the nameservers listed for artcyclopedia.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Jun 1, 2014 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Jan 24, 2015 – Apr 3, 2018Zone file: 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us (ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org…) were the nameservers listed for artcyclopedia.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Jan 24, 2015 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Jan 24, 2015Zone file: artcyclopedia.com's nameservers moved from artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com to 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us at some point between Jun 1, 2014 and Jan 24, 2015. Last seen at artcyclopedia.com, specifica.com: Jun 1, 2014 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). First seen at 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us: Jan 24, 2015 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 8 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (ICANN zone-file snapshot → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Apr 4, 2018 – Apr 24, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed 1and1-dns.com, 1and1-dns.de, 1and1-dns.org, 1and1-dns.us nameservers (ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org…) for artcyclopedia.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Apr 24, 2026. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 21, 2026 – Nov 9, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Nov 9, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Jul 28, 2026 – Nov 13, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Jul 28, 2026; latest sighting Nov 13, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 13, 2026: ns-us.1and1-dns.com, ns-us.1and1-dns.de, ns-us.1and1-dns.org, ns-us.1and1-dns.us.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 13, 2026
1 of 2 safety checks passed (Nov 14, 2026).
Registered 1998 · AboutUs could not get a response over HTTPS when it checked (Nov 14, 2026)
Artcyclopedia is a search engine and directory that indexes artworks and artist information across museum sites, image archives, and online art resources. It serves art researchers, students, and enthusiasts seeking information about fine artists and their works. The site indexes over 2,100 art sites and provides links to an estimated 180,000 artworks by 8,200 artists.
Make sure the site responds over HTTPS with a valid certificate.
AboutUs has not vetted this site. Everything below is what we could measure automatically. Anything you do on the site — paying, sharing personal details, downloading — is between you and the site, not AboutUs.
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Nov 23, 1998 — 27 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: Network Solutions, LLC — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Aug 2, 2026).
checked Sep 30, 2026
The live front page reads as an education or reference site that publishes free content supported by ads, mainly for specialists in its field.
Authority 52/100— ahead of 52% of the August 2026 scored sampleSome caution flags
Why this authority score
52 is a percentile: higher than 52% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #55,468)+6
Verified continuity: 28.0 years (RDAP registration)+11
Security & email hygiene+2
Calibration adjustment (published map)+9
Model score: 28/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 52/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 4 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 4 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
What artcyclopedia.com said about itself, 2006
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (1 version). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
definitive: We have compiled a comprehensive index of every artist represented at hundreds of museum sites, image archives, and other online resources. We have started out by covering the biggest and best sites around, and have links for most well-known artists to keep you surfing for hours.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date; self-description below is the 2014 record.
1998
Domain registered (Nov 23, 1998).
2006
First tracked by AboutUs (Sep 28, 2006); profile edited 12 times through 2014.
2014
Self-description at the time:
“Artcyclopedia.com Is a one-stop guide to art on the Internet”