How to Cite a Artwork or Image in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a artwork or image citation in MLA 9th Edition. 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 MLA 9th Edition:

Template

Artist Last, First. *Title of Work*. Year. Medium. Museum/Gallery, Location.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Kahlo)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

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

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Name the artist
List the artist in Last, First format.
2
Add the title of the work
Italicize the title of the artwork using title case. Follow with a period.
3
Include the date of creation
Write the year the artwork was created. If the exact year is unknown, use an approximation (e.g., c. 1503).
4
Describe the medium
State the medium or material (e.g., oil on canvas, marble, digital print). Follow with a period.
5
Add the location
Include the name of the museum, gallery, or collection, followed by a comma and the city. End with a period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to italicize the title of the artwork.
Omitting the medium (e.g., oil on canvas, bronze, photograph).
Not including the museum or gallery and its location.
Using the wrong date format (artworks use just the year).
Confusing the title of the work with the title of the exhibition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an artwork viewed online?

Add the website as a second container: 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.

What if the artist is unknown?

Begin with the title of the work: The Unicorn in Captivity. c. 1495--1505. Wool, silk, and metallic threads. The Met Cloisters, New York.

How do I cite a photograph of an artwork in a book?

Include the book as a second container: Kahlo, Frida. The Two Fridas. 1939. Frida Kahlo: The Complete Paintings, by Andrea Kettenmann, Taschen, 2021, p. 98.

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

List the artist in Last, First format.

Add the title of the work

Italicize the title of the artwork using title case. Follow with a period.

Include the date of creation

Write the year the artwork was created. If the exact year is unknown, use an approximation (e.g., c. 1503).

Describe the medium

State the medium or material (e.g., oil on canvas, marble, digital print). Follow with a period.

Add the location

Include the name of the museum, gallery, or collection, followed by a comma and the city. End with a period.