Harvard Referencing · Artwork
How to Cite An Artwork in Harvard Edition
Harvard author–date referencing cites an artwork with the creator and year in the text, then a reference-list entry that typically includes Available at: and an Accessed date for online sources. “Artwork” covers sculpture and installations too, so the medium wording and collection of record have to stay specific.
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Harvard
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Harvard formula for an artwork
Creator, A.A. (Year) Title of image [Artwork]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Italics: Italicize the image title; place the medium in square brackets in roman type. Year position: In parentheses immediately after the creator name.
Worked example
In-text citation
(Rodin, 1904)
Template: (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year)
Figure caption
Figure 1 Rodin, A. (1904) The Thinker [Bronze sculpture]. Available at: https://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/musee/collections/oeuvres/thinker
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 Harvard?
Build one Harvard 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 Harvard?
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 Harvard handout allows.
Do I need a figure caption when I include an artwork in my paper (Harvard)?
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 Harvard?
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 Harvard?
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.