Elena Rossi
There are many ways to write out the name of a painting, depending on the context. If you are creating a label for a physical exhibition, you may want to include the title, date, artist, and location of the painting. If you are writing out the name of a painting in an academic essay, you should use a recognised referencing style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. In this case, you would usually write out the artist's name, followed by the title of the painting in italics. If you are creating a title for your own artwork, you might want to consider how to entice your viewers and steer them towards the meaning of the work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the title | To entice and enthral viewers, steer them towards the direct meaning of the work, or push them towards obfuscation |
| Title format | Use title case (maximal capitalization). Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs |
| Individual artwork in a series | Write the title in italics |
| Catalogue titles | Write in italics and use sentence case |
| Artist's name | Use the artist's full name |
| Location of the title | On the mat, on the painting itself, or on a separate card attached to the painting |
| Additional information | Include the year of production, medium, size, and any other relevant details |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a title: enticing viewers and reflecting meaning
Choosing a title for your artwork is an important step in the creative process. A good title can entice and enthral viewers, guiding their interpretation of the work and enhancing their emotional connection to it. Here are some considerations for choosing a title that reflects the meaning of your artwork and captivates your audience:
Enhance, Don't Overshadow:
The title should complement your artwork, enriching it without overpowering it. It should feel inherently right, as an integral element of the artwork itself. Avoid titles that are too vague or generic, as they may detract from the impact of your piece.
Reflect Underlying Themes and Emotions:
Consider how your title conveys the underlying themes, emotions, or narratives within the artwork. For example, the title "Eternal Struggle" for an abstract painting sets a particular emotional tone and guides viewers towards a more directed exploration of the piece's visual elements.
Provide a "Key" for Abstract Works:
Abstract works often benefit from a title that provides viewers with a "key" or entry point to understanding the piece. For instance, Jackson Pollock's "Lucifer" suggests a narrative of a fallen angel, adding depth to the interpretation of the painting's formal elements.
Draw Inspiration from Literature, Poetry, or Personal Context:
Use Wordplay and Creativity:
Don't be afraid to use wordplay, puns, or creative language in your titles. Play with meanings and interpretations to add another layer of interest to your artwork. For example, "Contaminated Water" evokes a more concrete image than "Monet's Water," leaving room for multiple interpretations.
Remember, choosing a title is an intuitive process, much like creating the artwork itself. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to let the title emerge organically during or after the completion of your piece. A well-chosen title can make all the difference in how your artwork is perceived and remembered.
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Artist name: full name and punctuation
When writing out the name of a painting, it is important to follow the artist's original formatting. This includes maintaining the same capitalisation, punctuation, and spelling as the artist. For example, if the artist has used a stylised spelling or a unique punctuation mark in the title of their work, you should preserve this in your written text.
Write the artist's name in full, including their first and last name. For example, "Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night" or "Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas". In cases where the artist is commonly referred to by their surname only, it is still important to provide their full name, such as "Pablo Ruiz Picasso's Guernica".
If the artist has a multi-part surname, include both parts. For example, "Salvador Dalí Domènech's The Persistence of Memory". Similarly, if the artist has a hyphenated surname, include both parts of the surname, such as "Anita Taylor-Gunn".
In certain cases, an artist may have changed their name, and their artworks may be known under different names. For instance, an artist may have works attributed to their previous and current names. In such instances, it is important to be consistent and clear. You may choose to use their current name with a note about the previous name, or vice versa, depending on the context and the artist's preference.
When writing out the name of a painting, it is crucial to respect the artist's chosen title and presentation. This includes following their chosen punctuation and capitalisation, as well as providing their full name to ensure proper attribution and credit.
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Title case: maximal capitalisation
When writing out the name of a painting in title case, you should capitalise all major words and use lowercase for minor words. For example, "The Catcher in the Rye".
When using title case, you should capitalise every word except for articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but), and prepositions (in, on, for, up). However, the preposition "on" is capitalised in the title "It's On Again" because it is used as an adjective in this context. Similarly, the preposition "in" is capitalised in "Give In to Me" because it is used as an adverb.
There are different style guides that offer specific rules for title case, including:
- The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)
- The MLA Handbook
- The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook
- The AMA Manual of Style
- The New York Times style guide
These style guides may have different rules for lowercase and uppercase prepositions. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style and Wikipedia lowercase prepositions up to four letters (from, with, over), while the New York Times only lowercases selected prepositions with two or three letters (at, by, in).
It is important to be consistent and follow the specific guidelines of your chosen style when using title case to ensure your titles and headlines are correct and effective.
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Location of name: on the painting or on the mat?
When it comes to naming and signing paintings, there are a few options to consider. Some artists choose to sign their paintings on the front, usually in the lower left or right corner, using a permanent acid-free black pen or a fibre-tipped pen in sepia or black. This ensures that the signature is visible and can add a touch of elegance to the artwork.
However, if the artist does not plan to title the painting, they might choose to sign it on the mat or the back. This is especially common for printed copies or artworks that have a built-in border. Adding a mat can provide a clean border and enhance the overall presentation of the artwork, especially for small-scale pieces. It also offers a sense of separation between the artwork and the frame, which can be aesthetically pleasing.
Some artists prefer to put the location of the painting on the front, usually on landscape paintings, while others include more information on the back, such as the date, location, and signature. This ensures that the additional details do not interfere with the subject of the painting.
When it comes to naming the painting, some artists choose to write the name on the mat, especially if the painting has a personal connection, such as a dedicated name. Alternatively, the name can be included on a business card attached to the painting or printed on a label attached to the back. This provides flexibility and allows the artist to decide if they want the name to be directly associated with the artwork or presented separately.
Ultimately, the decision to place the name on the painting or the mat depends on personal preference and the specific circumstances of the artwork. There is no definitive right or wrong answer, and artists have the creative freedom to choose the option that best suits their vision and the overall presentation of their work.
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Catalogue titles: exhibition and date information
When it comes to catalogue titles and including exhibition and date information, there are a few key considerations and best practices to keep in mind. Firstly, treat catalogues as books when it comes to formatting and style. Here is a general rule for formatting catalogue titles with exhibition and date information:
Author or Gallery Name (Year) *Title of exhibition* [format], *Day Month Year* *of exhibition, Publisher, Location of Gallery.
For example:
Philip Bacon Gallery (2011) *Important Australian Paintings* [printed exhibition catalogue], *31 May to 25 June 2011*, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane.
If the catalogue is an online publication, be sure to hyperlink the title and include an accessed date. Alternatively, if the catalogue is a PDF, link directly to the page where the PDF is hosted. If you cannot link to a specific page, include 'PDF' in square brackets after the format information. Here is an example:
Author or Gallery Name (Year) *Title of exhibition* [online exhibition catalogue], *Day Month Year* *of exhibition, Publisher, Location, accessed *Day Month Year*.
Additionally, when writing titles for exhibitions, it is important to strike a balance between providing clear and sufficient information about the exhibition's content and maintaining a level of intrigue and interest. A well-crafted title should give visitors a sense of what to expect while also piquing their curiosity. Keep the title descriptive yet concise, and consider how it can be used across various promotional materials, such as brochures, websites, and publicity venues.
In summary, when including exhibition and date information in catalogue titles, follow the general formatting guidelines, and remember to create informative and engaging titles that effectively communicate the nature of the exhibition.
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