How to Cite a Artwork or Image in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a artwork or image citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a artwork or image in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Artist First Last, Title of Work, Date, medium, Museum/Collection, Location. Bibliography: Last, First. Title of Work. Date. Medium. Museum/Collection, Location.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939, oil on canvas, Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Kahlo, Frida. The Two Fridas. 1939. Oil on canvas. Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Name the artist
In notes, use First Name Last Name. In the bibliography, invert to Last Name, First Name.
2
Italicize the title
Italicize the title of the artwork and use headline-style capitalization.
3
Add the date of creation
Include the year or date range when the work was created. Use 'ca.' for approximate dates.
4
Specify the medium
Describe the medium (e.g., oil on canvas, marble, digital print, watercolor on paper).
5
Include the museum and location
Name the museum, gallery, or collection that holds the work, followed by the city.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicizing the title of the artwork.
Omitting the medium (oil on canvas, bronze, photograph, etc.).
Forgetting to include the museum or collection where the work is held.
Leaving out the city where the museum is located.
Confusing the date of creation with the date of acquisition by the museum.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite artwork viewed in a book or online reproduction?

Cite the artwork itself with its museum location, then add the publication or website where you viewed the reproduction. Include the URL for online reproductions.

Do artworks go in the Chicago bibliography?

Artworks may be included in the bibliography if they are central to your argument. Otherwise, a note citation is sufficient. Consult your instructor or publisher.

How do I handle an artwork with an unknown date?

Use "n.d." (no date) in place of the date. If an approximate date is known, use "ca." followed by the approximate year (e.g., ca. 1510).

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your artwork or image:

Artist
Title
Date
Medium
Museum/Collection
Location

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Step-by-Step Guide

Name the artist

In notes, use First Name Last Name. In the bibliography, invert to Last Name, First Name.

Italicize the title

Italicize the title of the artwork and use headline-style capitalization.

Add the date of creation

Include the year or date range when the work was created. Use 'ca.' for approximate dates.

Specify the medium

Describe the medium (e.g., oil on canvas, marble, digital print, watercolor on paper).

Include the museum and location

Name the museum, gallery, or collection that holds the work, followed by the city.