Citing art may seem like an intimidating task, but it’s actually quite straightforward, especially with this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to grapple with the intricacies of academic referencing, this article will provide you with all the essential information. Let’s dive in!
1. Understanding the Importance of Citing Art
Citing art, like giving credit to a book or article, is crucial for a number of reasons:
- Academic Integrity: When you cite art, you’re acknowledging the original creator’s work and avoiding plagiarism.
- Credibility: Citing your sources gives your writing credibility and shows that you’ve conducted thorough research.
- Recognition: Giving credit to the artist promotes their work and recognizes their contribution to your research.
2. Different Types of Art and How to Cite Them
The type of art you’re citing will determine the specific citation format you use. Here are the most common types of art and their citation styles:
Paintings
MLA: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Museum or gallery where displayed, City.
Example: Picasso, Pablo. Guernica. 1937. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.
Sculptures
MLA: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Material. Height x Width x Depth. Museum or gallery where displayed, City.
Example: Michelangelo. David. 1504. Marble. 17 feet 1 inch x 2 feet 4 inches x 6 feet 2 inches. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence.
Photographs
MLA: Photographer’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Photograph. Date created. Medium. Title of exhibition or publication. Museum or gallery where displayed/published, City. Page number.
Example: Salgado, Sebastião. Genesis: Serra Pelada, Brazil . 1986. Gelatin silver print. Genesis. Taschen, 2013, p. 345.
3. General Guidelines for Citing Art
Regardless of the type of art you’re citing, keep these general guidelines in mind:
- Use a consistent style: Choose one citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago) and stick to it throughout your work.
- Include all necessary information: Make sure to include the artist’s name, title of the artwork, date created, and any other relevant details.
- Check for accuracy: Double-check your citations to ensure they’re accurate and complete.
4. Citing Art in MLA Format
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities. Here’s a breakdown of how to cite art in MLA:
Painting
Picasso, Pablo. Guernica. 1937. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.
Sculpture
Michelangelo. David. 1504. Marble. 17 feet 1 inch x 2 feet 4 inches x 6 feet 2 inches. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence.
Photograph
Salgado, Sebastião. Genesis: Serra Pelada, Brazil . 1986. Gelatin silver print. Genesis. Taschen, 2013, p. 345.
5. Citing Art in APA Format
APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences. Here’s a breakdown of how to cite art in APA:
Painting
Picasso, P. (1937). Guernica. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.
Sculpture
Michelangelo. (1504). David. Marble, 17 feet 1 inch x 2 feet 4 inches x 6 feet 2 inches. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence.
Photograph
Salgado, S. (1986). Genesis: Serra Pelada, Brazil. Gelatin silver print. In Genesis (p. 345). Taschen.
6. Citing Art in Chicago Format
Chicago style is commonly used in history, art history, and religious studies. Here’s a breakdown of how to cite art in Chicago:
Painting
Picasso, Pablo. Guernica. 1937. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.
Sculpture
Michelangelo. David. 1504. Marble, 17 feet 1 inch x 2 feet 4 inches x 6 feet 2 inches. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence.
Photograph
Salgado, Sebastião. Genesis: Serra Pelada, Brazil. 1986. Gelatin silver print. Genesis, Taschen, 2013, p. 345.
7. Comparison Table of Citation Formats
| Citation Format | Painting | Sculpture | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLA | Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Material. Height x Width x Depth. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Photographer’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Photograph. Date created. Medium. Title of exhibition or publication. Museum or gallery where displayed/published, City. Page number. |
| APA | Artist Last Name, P. (Date created). Title of Artwork. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Artist Last Name. (Date created). Title of Artwork. Material, Height x Width x Depth. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Photographer Last Name, S. (Date created). Title of Photograph. Medium. In Title of exhibition or publication (p. Page number). Publisher. |
| Chicago | Artist Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Artist Last Name. Title of Artwork. Date created. Material, Height x Width x Depth. Museum or gallery where displayed, City. | Photographer Last Name, First Name. Title of Photograph. Date created. Medium. Title of exhibition or publication, Publisher, Date of publication, Page number. |
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have all the knowledge you need to cite art properly, ensuring academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due. Remember, consistency and accuracy are key. Refer to this guide whenever you encounter art-related citations.
Explore Other Articles:
- The Ultimate Guide to Citing Books
- How to Cite a Website in Your Essay
- Avoiding Plagiarism: A Comprehensive Guide
FAQ about How to Cite Art
1. What is the P-A-S format?
- Answer: The P-A-S format stands for Publication, Artist, Series. It is a standard way to cite art in academic writing.
2. What information do I need to cite an art piece?
- Answer: You will need the artist’s name, the title of the artwork, the date of creation, the medium, and the location where it is currently housed.
3. How do I cite an art piece in a paper?
- Answer: In a paper, you should cite the art piece in parentheses like this: (Artist, Title of Artwork, Date, Medium, Location).
4. What if I don’t have all of the citation information?
- Answer: If you don’t have all of the citation information, you can still cite the art piece as much as possible. For example, you could write: (Artist, Title of Artwork).
5. What if the art piece is not in a book or journal?
- Answer: If the art piece is not in a book or journal, you can still cite it using the P-A-S format. For example, if the art piece is a painting that is hanging in a museum, you could write: (Artist, Title of Artwork, Date, Medium, Museum Name).
6. How do I cite an art piece that is online?
- Answer: To cite an art piece that is online, you will need to include the URL of the website where you found it. For example, you could write: (Artist, Title of Artwork, Date, Medium, URL).
7. What if the art piece is anonymous?
- Answer: If the art piece is anonymous, you can still cite it by writing: (Anonymous, Title of Artwork, Date, Medium, Location).
8. What if the art piece is a part of a series?
- Answer: If the art piece is a part of a series, you can include the series title in your citation. For example, you could write: (Artist, Title of Artwork, Date, Medium, Series Title, Location).
9. How do I cite an art piece in a bibliography?
- Answer: In a bibliography, you should list the art piece in alphabetical order by artist’s last name. The citation should include the same information as a citation in a paper.
10. What is the difference between citing an art piece and a work of literature?
- Answer: The main difference is that when you cite an art piece, you will include the medium and location in your citation. When you cite a work of literature, you will include the publisher and place of publication.
