How to Cite Artworks and Photographs in MLA Format [2026 Guide]

Visual art requires special citation practices. This guide explains how to cite paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artworks in MLA 9th edition format.

Artwork Viewed in Person Format

Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Year, Medium, Institution/Collection, City.

Artwork Viewed Online Format

Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Year, Medium, Institution, City. Website Name, URL.

Artwork Examples

Painting Viewed in Museum

Van Gogh, Vincent. The Starry Night. 1889, oil on canvas, Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Painting Viewed Online

Kahlo, Frida. The Two Fridas. 1939, oil on canvas, Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City. Google Arts & Culture, artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-two-fridas.

Sculpture

Michelangelo. David. 1501-1504, marble sculpture, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence.

Photograph

Adams, Ansel. Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. 1941, photograph, Center for Creative Photography, Tucson.

Digital Art

Beeple. Everydays: The First 5000 Days. 2021, digital artwork, Christie's, www.christies.com/lot/lot-6316662.

Art from Book

Picasso, Pablo. Guernica. 1937, oil on canvas, Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.Picasso: His Life and Work, by Roland Penrose, U of California P, 1981, p. 312.

In-Text Citations

With Artist Name

Van Gogh's swirling brushwork creates movement across the canvas.

With Artwork Title

The painting captures the duality of identity (The Two Fridas).

Common Mistakes

1. Not Italicizing Artwork Titles

Artwork titles are always italicized, never in quotation marks.

2. Omitting Medium

Include the medium (oil on canvas, bronze, photograph) when known.

3. Missing Museum Location

Always include the city where the museum or collection is located.

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Conclusion

Citing artwork correctly acknowledges artists' creative work and provides readers with information to locate pieces in museums or online collections for verification and further study.