How to Cite Artwork in APA

• Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Published on 10/10/2025

• Give a definitive identification of the medium. Use general language like “[Painting]” or more specific language such as “[Oil on canvas]” to aid in determining the work type.
• For untitled pieces, use a descriptive phrase in square brackets in place of a title.
• When the artwork or exhibition is available online, include a direct URL. Do not hyperlink the title; only hyperlink the URL.
• When citing information taken from plaques or secondary materials, identify them as such and cite the primary source whenever possible.
• The date should reflect when the artwork was created, not when it was accessed, unless citing an online exhibition or web-based display that spans specific years.

Citing Artwork in Museums and Online

Apply this citation format to a wide range of museum artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings, digital creations, crafts, and installations.

For untitled works, the title field is filled by a square-bracketed short description.

Citing an Art Exhibition in Museums and Online

Citing Information from Museum Plaques

Some museums give each of their artworks a specific accession number. Adding the number in the reference can make it possible for readers to find the precise piece, particularly when several works have very similar titles. Where the date on which an artwork was made is unknown, use (no date). Do not guess or make up a date. When transcribing the titles of artworks, keep the original capitalization, punctuation, and styling as rendered by the institution or museum. This is a respect to the artist’s and institution’s presentation of the piece. Where the artwork is a reproduction, restoration, or digital scan of the original work, indicate this in the description. Indicate the format and, where applicable, the restorer or photographer who carried out the reproduction.