Abstract: The empirical method in art history is a research approach that seeks empirical effects through reliable art historical evidence,including historiography,philology,archaeology,data science,etc.and holds a fundamental position in the research methodology of art history.Art historical source study relies on art historical sources to conduct research,while art historical philology uses relevant literary knowledge to prove or support new understanding.Art historical archaeology means studying the relationship between artifacts and artworks based on actual archaeological remains and relics obtained through fieldwork.Art historical data science uses quantitative analysis,electronic computer data statistics,or big data to obtain precise quantitative evidence and draw conclusions.Adhering to “empiricism” and “empirical spirit” is the basic principle of the empirical research method in art history.The empirical method in art history should strive for evidence-based,trustworthy,communicative,knowledgeable,and self-reflective research in the future.

Key words: art history, an empirical method, the methodology of historiography, the methodology of philology, the methodology of archaeology, the methodology of data science