APA 7th Edition · Artwork
How to Cite An Artwork in APA 7th Edition
In APA 7th Edition, an artwork citation must identify the creator, date, title, format tag, and source. Instructors in psychology and education expect the bracketed format (for example [Artwork]) and a figure note whenever you reproduce the visual in your paper. “Artwork” covers sculpture and installations too, so the medium wording and collection of record have to stay specific.
Image Citation Generator
APA Style
7th Edition (Section 10.14)💡 "Copy Formatted" copies with HTML styling so pasting into Microsoft Word or Google Docs retains italicized titles and indentation automatically.
APA 7th formula for an artwork
Creator, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of work in sentence case [Artwork]. Site or Museum Name. URL
Italics: Italicize standalone image titles in sentence case; keep format tags in square brackets roman. Year position: Immediately after the author, in parentheses.
Worked example
In-text citation
(Rodin, 1904)
Template: (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year)
Figure caption
Figure 1 The Thinker Note. From Musée Rodin, Paris, by A. Rodin, 1904, (https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/musee/collections/oeuvres/thinker). Public domain / fair use for educational citation example.
Special rules for artworks
- Treat sculpture, installation, and mixed media as artworks with explicit medium wording.
- Include accession or collection notes only when they help readers locate the piece.
- If the work is untitled, supply a descriptive title in square brackets.
Source of truth: The collection or gallery of record (museum name + city), even when you found the image online.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the photographer of a gallery shot with the artist of the work.
- Omitting the repository city in Chicago notes.
- Using a Pinterest crop instead of the museum’s object page.
FAQ
How do you cite an artwork in APA 7th?
Build one APA 7th reference from creator → date → title → “Artwork” → host. Then paste the finished string into your reference list; do not leave the format field blank or point to a search-results URL.
What is the in-text citation for an artwork in APA 7th?
Match the creator spelling used in the reference entry and apply (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year). If the artwork is labeled as a numbered figure in the paper, add that figure number only where your instructor’s APA 7th handout allows.
Do I need a figure caption when I include an artwork in my paper (APA 7th)?
Only if you reprint the visual. A mention in prose needs in-text + reference list; a reproduced artwork also needs a numbered caption so readers can connect the picture on the page to the bibliography entry.
Where should I look for source details for an artwork?
Start on the object or article page that displays the artwork, then read the credit line, about panel, or download metadata. Skip aggregator cards and thumbnail feeds—they rarely carry a citable creator or permanent link.
What is a common mistake when citing artworks in APA 7th?
Students often confusing the photographer of a gallery shot with the artist of the work. Another frequent miss: treating a cropped social share as the publisher of record.
How is citing an artwork different from citing a generic online photo in APA 7th?
A generic photo citation can stop at photographer + site + URL. For artworks, you also have to capture treat sculpture, installation, and mixed media as artworks with explicit medium wording. That extra field is what keeps the entry recoverable.