How to Cite Images and Artworks in APA Format

Visual content—from historical photographs to contemporary digital art—serves as essential evidence in research across art history, cultural studies, communications, and many other fields. Whether you're citing a museum painting, stock photograph, digital image, or artwork from social media, understanding APA 7th edition visual media citation format ensures proper attribution while documenting these important sources.

Understanding Visual Media Citations

Images and artworks communicate meaning, document history, and serve as primary sources for analysis. They range from fine art in museums to photographs in archives, infographics online, and digital illustrations. Each type of visual content has unique citation requirements based on where and how it's accessed. APA 7th edition recognizes the scholarly value of visual sources and provides clear guidance for citing them properly.

The key to citing images is distinguishing between the original work and reproductions. When you view a Monet painting online, you're seeing a digital reproduction. Your citation must acknowledge both the original artwork and where you accessed the reproduction. Understanding this dual nature of image citations helps you provide complete, accurate documentation that allows readers to locate and verify your visual sources.

Basic Formats for Image Citations

In-text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Artist, Year) or (Photographer, Year)
• Narrative: Artist (Year) or Photographer (Year)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Creator

The creator is the artist, photographer, illustrator, or designer who made the image. Use the format: Last name, First initial. Middle initial. For artworks by unknown artists, begin with the title. For stock images by anonymous creators, use the username or site name.

Step 2: Determine the Year

Use the year the work was created. For historical artworks, use the creation date (e.g., 1889). For contemporary digital images, use the upload or publication year. If the exact year is unknown, use "n.d." or an approximate date if documented (e.g., ca. 1850).

Step 3: Format the Title or Description

Italicize the title of the artwork, photograph, or image. Use sentence case for titles. If the image has no title, create a brief description in italics (e.g., Photograph of Golden Gate Bridge). Follow with a description of the medium in brackets.

Step 4: Specify the Medium

After the title, include the medium in brackets: [Painting], [Photograph], [Sculpture], [Digital image], [Infographic], [Map], [Chart], etc. This clarifies what type of visual content you're citing.

Step 5: Include Location or Repository

For museum artworks, include the museum name and location (city, state or country). For archived photographs, include the archive or collection name. For online images, include the website or platform name.

Step 6: Add URL or Access Information

Include the URL where you accessed the image. For museum collections online, use the direct link to the artwork's page. For stock images or digital art, use the URL to the image file or its dedicated page.

Detailed Examples

Example 1: Museum Artwork (Viewed Online)

Example 2: Photograph from Archive

Example 3: Digital Image or Illustration

Example 4: Stock Photograph

Example 5: Artwork with Unknown Artist

Example 6: Instagram or Social Media Image

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Citing Images You Include

Every image you include in your paper requires citation, even if it's for illustration. Both reference list entries and figure captions with attribution are necessary.

2. Forgetting to Italicize Titles

Artwork titles and image descriptions should be italicized, just like book titles. This is a common formatting oversight.

3. Omitting [Medium] Descriptors

Always specify the medium in brackets: [Painting], [Photograph], [Digital image], etc. This clarifies what type of visual content you're referencing.

4. Not Including Museum or Repository Location

For artworks and archived images, include the full location (museum/archive name, city, state/country) to help readers locate the original.

5. Using Google Images as the Source

Trace images back to their original source (museum collection, photographer's website, stock photo site). Never cite "Google Images" as your source.

6. Forgetting Copyright and Permissions

Citation doesn't equal permission to reproduce. You may need additional permission to include copyrighted images in your work, especially for publication.

7. Incomplete Information for Online Images

For digital images, try to find the creator's name, creation date, and original source rather than citing where you happened to find the image.

Quick Reference Guide

Common Medium Descriptors

• [Painting]: Oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors
• [Photograph]: Any photographic image
• [Digital image]: Born-digital illustrations, graphics
• [Sculpture]: Three-dimensional artworks
• [Drawing]: Sketches, pencil drawings, charcoal
• [Infographic]: Data visualizations, info graphics
• [Map]: Cartographic images
• [Chart]: Data charts and graphs
• [Illustration]: Artistic illustrations
• [Screenshot]: Screen captures

Figure Captions in APA

When including images in your paper, use both a figure caption below the image AND a reference list entry:

Copyright and Fair Use

When including images in your work, consider these legal and ethical points:

• Public domain: Works created before 1928 (in the U.S.) are generally public domain
• Creative Commons: Check if images have CC licenses permitting use
• Fair use: Academic use may qualify for fair use, but this has limits
• Permission: For publication, you may need written permission from copyright holders
• Attribution: Always credit creators, even for public domain works
• Stock images: Verify licensing terms (some require payment for academic use)

Finding Image Information

Locate citation details from these sources:

• Museum websites: Collection pages provide artist, date, medium, dimensions
• Image metadata: Digital files contain EXIF data with creation info
• Archives: Digital archives list photographer, date, collection
• Stock photo sites: Provide photographer name and upload date
• Artist websites: Portfolio pages with artwork details
• Reverse image search: Tools like Google Image Search can trace image origins

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission to cite an image?

You can cite any image in your reference list—citation is scholarly attribution. However, reproducing (including) copyrighted images in your work may require permission, especially for publication beyond academic assignments.

How do I cite an image I created myself?

If you created an image for your paper, describe it in a figure caption ("Note. Created by author.") rather than citing yourself in the reference list.

What if I can't find the artist or photographer?

Try reverse image search to find the original source. If truly unknown, begin with the title or description and note the source where you found it.

Should I cite every image in my paper?

Yes. Every figure, photograph, artwork, chart, or visual element you didn't create yourself requires both a figure caption with attribution and a reference list entry.

How do I cite clip art or generic illustrations?

Cite clip art like stock images, including the creator or service (e.g., Microsoft Office, Canva) and the approximate date you accessed it.

What about screenshots of websites or apps?

Screenshots should be cited as [Screenshot] with the date captured, website/app name, and URL to the page you captured.

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