
When referencing a painting viewed online, it is important to properly cite the source in your work. This guide will explain how to cite a painting from a website using the APA (American Psychological Association) style. APA image citations include the creator's name, the year, the image title and format, the location where the image was viewed, and the name of the website and its URL.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist Name | Yes |
| Year | Yes |
| Title of Artwork | Yes |
| Medium/Format | Yes |
| Location of Artwork | Yes |
| City, State/Country | Yes |
| Museum/Gallery Name | Yes |
| Website Name | Yes |
| URL | Yes |
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What You'll Learn

Artist's name, title, date, and location
When citing a painting in APA format, the general structure is as follows:
Artist's Last Name, First Name. (Year). Title of the Painting. Museum/Gallery Name, City. Website Name, URL.
For example: Boucher, François. (1765). Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist and Angels. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. The Met, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435744?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ao=on&od=on&ft=painting&offset=0&rpp=80&pos=29.
Note that the artist's name should be formatted with their last name, followed by a comma and their first name, and a full stop (period) after the first name. The title of the painting should appear next, followed by the year of creation in parentheses. The name of the museum or gallery where the painting is located is then listed, along with the city. If you viewed the painting online, include the name of the website and the URL at the end of the citation.
If you are discussing specific details about the artwork, such as its size, format, composition, or exhibition details, this information is not typically included in the reference entry. Instead, it can be included in a footnote or an appendix, depending on the amount of information and the number of works referenced.
Additionally, it is important to distinguish between a general reference to an artwork and a specific performance or exhibition. If you are referring to a performance or exhibition, provide the artist's name and date of performance as an in-text citation. However, if you are referencing a permanent medium, such as a videotape or DVD, use the reference format for that specific medium.
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Format for paintings viewed online
APA does not have a written standard for images, so there may be differences in how other research guides show you how to cite them. It is recommended that you talk with your professor or editor before turning in your work.
For paintings viewed online, an APA citation should include the artist's name, the year of creation, the title of the painting, the format/medium, the name of the museum or gallery where the painting is held, the city of the museum or gallery, the name of the website where the painting was viewed, and the URL.
> Boucher, F. (1765). Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist and Angels [Painting]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY. The Met. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435744?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ao=on&od=on&ft=painting&offset=0&rpp=80&pos=29
Note that the format/medium is included in square brackets, and the URL links directly to the image where possible. If the painting does not have a title, then a description should be included in brackets instead of the title.
If the painting is viewed on a website but is also available to view in person at a museum or gallery, the citation should still include the URL but will otherwise follow the format for a painting viewed in person.
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In-text citations
When citing a painting from a website in APA format, the following in-text citation guidelines should be followed:
Firstly, the artist's name and year of the painting's creation are crucial components of an in-text citation. This information should be presented in parentheses and separated by a comma, with the artist's surname coming first, followed by a comma and their initials, and finally, the year. For example: (Mieris, F., 1661). This information is essential for properly attributing the work to its creator and providing a timeframe for its existence.
Secondly, the title of the painting should be included in the in-text citation. The title provides additional context and helps distinguish the specific work being referenced. It should be presented in italics to set it apart from the surrounding text. For example: (*Pictura*, 1661). Including the title allows readers to easily identify the painting and understand its relevance to the discussion.
Third, when citing a painting from a website, it is important to include the URL or web address where the painting was accessed. This allows readers to easily locate and access the specific website and painting being referenced. The URL should be presented in full, including the "https://" or "http://" prefix, to ensure a functional link. For example: (Mieris, F., 1661, *Pictura*, http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=822).
Additionally, when citing a painting in APA format, it is common to include a figure number before the artist's name. This figure number helps to identify the specific image being referenced, especially when multiple images are included in a document. For example: Fig. 4. Francisco de Goya. (1820-1823). *Saturn Devouring One of his Sons*. [mural painting transferred to canvas]. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. The figure number provides a clear reference point for the painting within the text.
It is worth noting that APA does not have a standardised format for image citations. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your professor or editor before submitting your work to ensure that your citations align with their expectations. The provided guidelines serve as a general framework for citing a painting from a website in APA style, but specific instructions from your institution or publication should always take precedence.
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Citing images from print publications
When citing images from print publications in APA style, you should include the following information:
- The creator's name (last name, first name): This refers to the artist or photographer who created the image.
- The year of creation: This is the year the image was made or published.
- The image title: Provide the title of the image, if available. If there is no specific title, you can include a brief description.
- The format or medium: Specify the type of image, such as painting, photograph, map, woodblock, etc.
- The location of the artwork: Include the name of the museum, gallery, or collection where the artwork is located, followed by the city and state/country.
Figure 4
Francisco de Goya. (*1820-1823*). *Saturn Devouring One of his Sons*. [mural painting transferred to canvas]. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
Boccioni, Umberto (1911). *States of Mind: The Farewells* [Oil on Canvas]. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. From M. Stockstad, *Art History* (p. 1058). New York, NY: Harry N Abrams, Inc., 1995.
It's important to note that APA does not have a standardized format for image citations, so there may be variations in different style guides. Always remember to consult your professor or editor to ensure your citations are consistent and meet their requirements.
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Copyright information
When citing a painting from a website in APA format, it is essential to include copyright information in your citation. Copyright information should be included in a note for the figure, along with any other relevant details, such as authorship and medium. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you properly cite a painting from a website, ensuring that you provide accurate and complete copyright information:
Artist's Name and Year:
Begin your citation with the artist's last name, followed by a comma and their first name, mirroring the format for book author citations. Then, provide the year of the painting's creation. For example:
> Goya, F. (1820-1823).
Painting Title and Medium:
After the artist's name and year, include the title of the painting. If the painting has been transferred to a different medium, such as canvas, include this information in brackets after the title. For instance:
> Saturn Devouring One of his Sons. [mural painting transferred to canvas].
Location and Copyright Holder:
Next, specify the location of the artwork, including the name of the museum or gallery, the city, and the country if necessary. Finally, provide the copyright information by stating the word "Copyright" followed by the year and the name of the copyright holder. Here's an example:
> Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. Copyright [year] by [Name of Copyright Holder].
Online Source Details:
If you accessed the painting online, include the name of the website and the URL. It is good practice to link directly to the image if possible. For example:
> [Name of Website]. https://example.com/image-url
Putting all these elements together, your APA citation for a painting from a website, including copyright information, might look something like this:
> Goya, F. (1820-1823). Saturn Devouring One of his Sons. [mural painting transferred to canvas]. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. Copyright [year] by [Name of Copyright Holder]. [Name of Website]. https://example.com/image-url
Remember to review the specific guidelines provided by your professor or editor, as there may be additional instructions or variations in style preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Artist Surname, First Name. (Year). Title of the Painting. [format/medium]. Name of the Museum or Gallery, City of the museum or gallery. Title of Website, URL.
For example: Boucher, François. (1765). Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist and Angels. [painting]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. The Met, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435744?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ao=on&od=on&ft=painting&offset=0&rpp=80&pos=29.
If there is no title for the painting, simply omit that section of the citation.
If there is no artist's name available, you can omit that section of the citation.
If the image was sourced from a print publication, you should include information about the original print source in your citation.
Yes, when including an image in your text, you should present it as a figure and include any copyright or permissions information.











































