When you use an artwork in your academic work, you need to tell your readers where you found it. This is called citing your sources. In APA style, citing artwork involves a specific format to give credit to the artist and help others find the work. This guide will walk you through the process of citing artwork using APA style, whether it’s a painting, sculpture, photograph, or digital image.
Why Citing Art Matters
Citing art is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it acknowledges the intellectual property and creative effort of the artist. Copyright laws protect artists’ work, and proper citation is a fundamental aspect of respecting these rights. Secondly, it allows your readers to locate and view the artwork you are discussing, enriching their comprehension and enabling them to engage with your arguments directly. Without proper citation, you risk plagiarism, which can have serious academic consequences. Using APA art citation principles ensures you adhere to academic integrity standards.
Grasping the Core Elements of an APA Art Citation
To create an effective APA citation format art reference, you need to gather specific information about the artwork and its source. The essential components include:
- Artist’s Name: The creator of the artwork.
- Date of Creation: When the artwork was made.
- Title of Artwork: The official name of the piece.
- Medium: What the artwork is made of (e.g., oil on canvas, marble, digital media).
- Year of Publication/Display: When the artwork was published or first displayed.
- Source Information: Where you accessed the artwork (e.g., museum website, book, exhibition catalog).
Citing Artwork from a Museum Collection
When you cite artwork that is part of a museum’s collection, the source is often the museum’s website or a publication related to the museum. This is a common scenario for referencing visual art APA.
Artwork Found Online via a Museum Website
The basic format for citing an artwork found on a museum website in APA style art is as follows:
Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. Museum Name. URL
Example:
Van Gogh, V. (1889). The starry night [Oil on canvas]. The Museum of Modern Art. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802
Breakdown:
- Artist: Van Gogh, V. (Last name, First initial).
- Year: (1889) (Year of creation).
- Title of Artwork: The starry night (Italicized).
- [Medium]: [Oil on canvas] (In brackets).
- Museum Name: The Museum of Modern Art.
- URL: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802 (The direct link to the artwork’s page).
Artwork from a Museum Exhibition Catalog or Book
If you are citing artwork APA from a book or catalog that features pieces from a museum, the citation will resemble a book citation, but with specific details about the artwork. This falls under APA referencing art installation if the work is an installation.
Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. In A. Editor (Ed.), Title of book or catalog (pp. page numbers). Publisher.
Example:
Monet, C. (1872). Impression, soleil levant [Oil on canvas]. In R. Gordon (Ed.), Impressionism: A revolutionary art (pp. 45-46). Thames & Hudson.
Breakdown:
- Artist: Monet, C.
- Year: (1872)
- Title of Artwork: Impression, soleil levant
- [Medium]: [Oil on canvas]
- In A. Editor (Ed.): In R. Gordon (Ed.) (If an editor is credited for the book).
- Title of Book or Catalog: Impressionism: A revolutionary art (Italicized book title).
- (pp. page numbers): (pp. 45-46).
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson.
Citing Paintings and Sculptures
Citing paintings APA and sculptures follows the same general principles as other artworks, focusing on the artist, title, date, medium, and source.
Painting Found in a Book
If you encounter a painting in a book that is not an exhibition catalog, treat it as a chapter or specific work within a larger publication.
Artist, A. A. (Year of creation). Title of painting [Medium]. In Title of book (pp. page numbers). Publisher.
Example:
Da Vinci, L. (c. 1503–1506). Mona Lisa [Oil on poplar panel]. In M. Kemp, Leonardo da Vinci: The marvellous works of nature and man (pp. 190-192). Oxford University Press.
Breakdown:
- Artist: Da Vinci, L.
- Year of creation: (c. 1503–1506) (Use “c.” for circa if the date is approximate).
- Title of Painting: Mona Lisa
- [Medium]: [Oil on poplar panel]
- In Title of Book: In Leonardo da Vinci: The marvellous works of nature and man
- (pp. page numbers): (pp. 190-192).
- Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Sculpture Viewed in Person or Documented Online
When citing artwork APA, if you view a sculpture in person, you would cite the institution where it is displayed and the specific details. If documented online, the museum website format applies.
Example (Online):
Rodin, A. (1882). The thinker [Bronze]. The Rodin Museum. https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/collections/sculptures/thinker
Breakdown:
- Artist: Rodin, A.
- Year: (1882)
- Title of Sculpture: The thinker
- [Medium]: [Bronze]
- Museum Name: The Rodin Museum.
- URL: https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/collections/sculptures/thinker
Citing Images and Photographs
Citing images APA is common in various academic disciplines. Whether it’s a photograph you found online or an image within a publication, the principles remain consistent.
Photograph from a Website (Non-Museum)
If you find a photograph on a website that isn’t a museum, the structure is similar to citing artwork from a museum website.
Photographer, P. P. (Year). Title of photograph [Photograph]. Website Name. URL
Example:
Adams, A. (1941). Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico [Photograph]. Ansel Adams Gallery. https://www.anseladams.com/ansel-adams/moonrise-hernandez-new-mexico
Breakdown:
- Photographer: Adams, A.
- Year: (1941)
- Title of Photograph: Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico
- [Photograph]: [Photograph]
- Website Name: Ansel Adams Gallery.
- URL: https://www.anseladams.com/ansel-adams/moonrise-hernandez-new-mexico
Image within a Book or Article
When an image is reproduced within a book or journal article, and you are referencing the book or article itself, you’ll cite the source publication. However, if you’re focusing specifically on the image as an independent work and its creator, you might still want to note the original artist. APA’s preference leans towards citing the immediate source you consulted.
In your text, you would refer to the image, and your reference list would cite the book or article.
Example Text Reference:
The powerful use of light and shadow in Ansel Adams’s photograph “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico” (Adams, 1941) evokes a sense of awe.
Reference List Entry (for the book containing the image):
Adams, A. (1941). Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico [Photograph]. In Ansel Adams: 400 photographs (pp. 88). Little, Brown and Company.
Alternatively, if the image is credited within the book:
Adams, A. (1941). Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico [Photograph]. In Ansel Adams: 400 photographs (p. 88). Little, Brown and Company.
Breakdown:
- Artist: Adams, A.
- Year: (1941)
- Title of Photograph: Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico
- [Photograph]: [Photograph]
- In Book Title: In Ansel Adams: 400 photographs
- (pp. page numbers): (pp. 88).
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company.
Citing Art Installations
APA referencing art installation pieces requires careful attention to the artist, title, date, location, and any documentation you are using.
Art Installation Viewed in Person
If you visit an exhibition and see an installation, and your work refers to that experience, you would cite the exhibition details and the artwork.
Artist, A. A. (Year of creation). Title of installation [Type of installation]. Name of Museum or Gallery, Location. Date of Exhibition.
Example:
Christo & Jeanne-Claude. (1991). The umbrellas [Environmental art installation]. U.S. and Japan simultaneously.
Breakdown:
- Artist: Christo & Jeanne-Claude.
- Year of creation: (1991)
- Title of Installation: The umbrellas
- [Type of installation]: [Environmental art installation]
- Location/Context: U.S. and Japan simultaneously.
If you are citing an installation documented in a book:
Artist, A. A. (Year of creation). Title of installation [Type of installation]. In Title of book (pp. page numbers). Publisher.
Example:
Christo & Jeanne-Claude. (1991). The umbrellas [Environmental art installation]. In Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Florida, 1980-1983 (pp. 112-115). Taschen.
Citing Artwork with No Artist or Date
Sometimes, you might encounter artwork where the artist or creation date is unknown. APA has specific guidelines for these situations.
Unknown Artist
If the artist is unknown, start the citation with the title of the artwork.
Title of Artwork. (Year). Medium. Source.
Example:
The Ardabil Carpet. (c. 1540). Wool and silk. Victoria and Albert Museum. https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-ardabil-carpet
Breakdown:
- Title of Artwork: The Ardabil Carpet (Italicized).
- Year: (c. 1540) (Use “Unknown” if no date is available).
- Medium: Wool and silk.
- Source: Victoria and Albert Museum.
- URL: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-ardabil-carpet
Unknown Date
If the date is unknown, use “n.d.” (no date).
Artist, A. A. (n.d.). Title of artwork [Medium]. Source. URL
Example:
Hokusai, K. (n.d.). The great wave off Kanagawa [Woodblock print]. British Museum. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-07-11-0-476
Breakdown:
- Artist: Hokusai, K.
- Year: (n.d.)
- Title of Artwork: The great wave off Kanagawa
- [Medium]: [Woodblock print]
- Source: British Museum.
- URL: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-07-11-0-476
Citing Artwork from an Art Publication
When referring to an art publication that discusses artworks, you’ll cite the publication itself. This is crucial for art publication APA.
Article in an Art Journal
Artist, A. A. (Year of creation). Title of artwork [Medium]. (Original work published Year of original publication). Journal Title, Volume(Issue), page numbers. DOI or URL
Example:
Warhol, A. (1967). Campbell’s soup cans [Screenprint]. (Original work created 1962). Artforum, 5(8), 34-37.
Breakdown:
- Artist: Warhol, A.
- Year of creation: (1967) (This is the year the article was published, if different from artwork creation).
- Title of Artwork: Campbell’s soup cans
- [Medium]: [Screenprint]
- (Original work created Year): (Original work created 1962)
- Journal Title: Artforum
- Volume(Issue): 5(8)
- Page numbers: 34-37.
Note: If you are citing the artwork itself as presented in the journal, and the journal article is the primary source of information about the artwork’s context or critique, the citation might focus more on the journal article itself, with a parenthetical note about the artwork. However, the above format directly attributes the artwork.
Artwork Reproduced in a Magazine or Newspaper
Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. (Original work published Year of original publication). Magazine/Newspaper Title, Volume(Issue if applicable), page number. URL
Example:
O’Keeffe, G. (1932). Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 [Oil on canvas]. (Original work created 1932). Life Magazine, July 19, 1932, p. 50.
Breakdown:
- Artist: O’Keeffe, G.
- Year: (1932)
- Title of Artwork: Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1
- [Medium]: [Oil on canvas]
- (Original work created Year): (Original work created 1932)
- Magazine/Newspaper Title: Life Magazine
- Date: July 19, 1932
- Page number: p. 50.
In-Text Citations for Art
In-text citations provide a brief reference to the artwork within your text, directing readers to the full entry in your reference list.
Basic In-Text Citation
When you mention artwork in your text, include the artist’s last name and the year of creation.
(Artist, Year)
Example:
The emotional depth of Picasso’s Guernica is undeniable (Picasso, 1937).
If you mention the artist in the sentence, you only need the year in parentheses.
Picasso’s Guernica (1937) conveys the horrors of war.
Citing Artwork with an Unknown Artist or Date
-
Unknown Artist: Use the title (or a shortened version if it’s long) and the year.
(Title, Year)
Example:
The intricate detail of The Ardabil Carpet (c. 1540) is remarkable.
-
Unknown Date: Use the artist’s name and “n.d.”
(Artist, n.d.)
Example:
The vibrant colors in Hokusai’s The great wave off Kanagawa (n.d.) are captivating.
Referencing Visual Art APA: A Table of Common Formats
To simplify the process, here’s a table summarizing some common scenarios for referencing visual art APA:
| Source Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork on Museum Website | Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. Museum Name. URL | Van Gogh, V. (1889). The starry night [Oil on canvas]. The Museum of Modern Art. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802 |
| Artwork in a Book | Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of artwork [Medium]. In Title of book (pp. page numbers). Publisher. | Monet, C. (1872). Impression, soleil levant [Oil on canvas]. In R. Gordon (Ed.), Impressionism: A revolutionary art (pp. 45-46). Thames & Hudson. |
| Photograph from Website | Photographer, P. P. (Year). Title of photograph [Photograph]. Website Name. URL | Adams, A. (1941). Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico [Photograph]. Ansel Adams Gallery. https://www.anseladams.com/ansel-adams/moonrise-hernandez-new-mexico |
| Art Installation (documented) | Artist, A. A. (Year of creation). Title of installation [Type]. In Title of book (pp. page numbers). Publisher. | Christo & Jeanne-Claude. (1991). The umbrellas [Environmental art installation]. In Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Surrounded Islands (pp. 112-115). Taschen. |
| Artwork with Unknown Artist | Title of artwork. (Year). Medium. Source. | The Ardabil Carpet. (c. 1540). Wool and silk. Victoria and Albert Museum. |
| Artwork with Unknown Date | Artist, A. A. (n.d.). Title of artwork [Medium]. Source. URL | Hokusai, K. (n.d.). The great wave off Kanagawa [Woodblock print]. British Museum. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-07-11-0-476 |
| Artwork in Art Journal Article | Artist, A. A. (Year of article). Title of artwork [Medium]. (Original work created Year). Journal Title, Volume(Issue), page numbers. | Warhol, A. (1967). Campbell’s soup cans [Screenprint]. (Original work created 1962). Artforum, 5(8), 34-37. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need to cite every image I use in my paper?
A1: Yes, if you are using an image that is not your own creation, you must cite it. This includes photographs, illustrations, charts, and any other visual material. This is essential for citing images APA.
Q2: What if the artwork is in a private collection and not available online or in a book?
A2: If you viewed the artwork personally, you can cite it by stating the artist, title, medium, and the location where you saw it (e.g., “Private Collection of Mr. John Smith”). In your text, you would mention your personal observation.
Q3: How do I cite a piece of art that has been widely reproduced, like a famous sculpture?
A3: Cite the specific source where you encountered the artwork for your paper. If you saw it on a museum website, cite the museum website. If you saw it in a book, cite the book. Always provide the most direct and accessible source for your readers.
Q4: Is there a difference between citing a painting and citing a photograph in APA?
A4: The core elements are the same: artist, title, date, medium, and source. For photographs, you often note “Photograph” as the medium. The key is to be accurate with the details specific to the artwork type. This ensures proper APA art citation.
Q5: What is considered “artwork” for citation purposes?
A5: For APA citation, “artwork” generally refers to visual creations such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, digital art, and installations. Essentially, any visual work created by an artist that you are discussing or reproducing.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and correctly cite artwork in your academic writing using APA style, ensuring academic integrity and giving proper credit to creators. This detailed approach to APA style art will strengthen your research and support your arguments.