How to Cite a Image or Photograph in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite photographs, artwork, charts, and online images in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a image or photograph in your Works Cited page:
Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Image. Year. Museum/Site, Location. Medium.
MLA Example for a Image or Photograph
A complete MLA reference for a image or photograph, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Moreau, Claire. Study at the Window. Photograph. City Museum of Art, 1974, https://www.example.org/collection/study-at-the-window.
Matching in-text citation: (Moreau)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Artist)
Narrative
Artist's work shows...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Italicize the title of an artwork or photograph.
- Give the year of creation, then the museum or website and its location.
- For online images, italicize the website as the container and add the URL.
- Add the medium (oil on canvas, photograph) as an optional final element.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your image or photograph.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: mla.csl
Metadata to collect
- artist or creator
- title, or a description of an untitled image
- year of creation
- medium or format
- museum, collection or website
- URL
Common metadata traps
- Cite the page or collection where you saw the image, never a search engine result.
- Distinguish the original artwork from a reproduction printed in a book or article.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a image or photograph in MLA?
- To cite a image or photograph in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the MLA format for a image or photograph citation?
- The MLA format for a image or photograph is: Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Image. Year. Museum/Site, Location. Medium.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a image or photograph in MLA?
- In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Artist)
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