APA Images & Artwork Citations

    Learn to cite images, artwork, photographs, and visual media in APA format with detailed examples and best practices.

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    Published: September 15, 2025
    By heypaperhero Team

    Basic Image Citation Format

    APA format for images and artwork includes the artist, date, title, medium, and source information.

    APA Image Citation Format:

    Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of work [Medium]. Museum/Institution. URL (if applicable)

    Museum Artwork

    When citing artwork viewed in a museum or gallery, include the institution and location.

    Example:

    Van Gogh, V. (1889). The starry night [Oil on canvas]. Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, United States.

    In-text citation: (Van Gogh, 1889)

    Elements:

    • Artist: V. Van Gogh
    • Date: 1889
    • Title: The starry night (italicized)
    • Medium: [Oil on canvas]
    • Institution: Museum of Modern Art
    • Location: New York, NY, United States

    Online Images

    For images found online, include the website information and URL.

    Example:

    Picasso, P. (1937). Guernica [Oil painting on canvas]. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain. https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/guernica

    In-text citation: (Picasso, 1937)

    Photographs

    Cite photographs with the photographer's name, date, title, and publication information.

    Example:

    Adams, A. (1941). Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico [Photograph]. The Ansel Adams Gallery. https://www.anseladams.com/moonrise-hernandez-new-mexico/

    In-text citation: (Adams, 1941)

    Digital Images and Graphics

    For digital images, infographics, or other digital visual content.

    Example:

    National Geographic. (2023, March 15). Global climate change infographic [Digital image]. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/climate-change-infographic

    In-text citation: (National Geographic, 2023)

    Images from Books

    When citing images that appear in books, include the book publication information.

    Example:

    Leonardo da Vinci. (c. 1503-1519). Mona Lisa [Oil painting on wood]. In H. W. Janson, The history of art (p. 425). Prentice Hall.

    In-text citation: (Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-1519)

    Stock Photos and Getty Images

    For stock photos from commercial sources, include the source and any relevant identification.

    Example:

    Smith, J. (2023). Business meeting in modern office [Photograph]. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/business-meeting-royalty-free-image/1234567890

    Unknown Artist or Creator

    When the artist or creator is unknown, begin with the title of the work.

    Example:

    Venus de Milo. (c. 130-100 BCE). [Marble sculpture]. Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

    In-text citation: (Venus de Milo, c. 130-100 BCE)

    Key Citation Elements

    Required Elements:

    • • Artist/creator name
    • • Date of creation
    • • Title of work (italicized)
    • • Medium in brackets
    • • Institution/source
    • • Location (for physical works)
    • • URL (for online sources)

    Optional Elements:

    • • Dimensions
    • • Collection name
    • • Accession number
    • • Copyright information
    • • License type

    Best Practices

    APA Image Citation Tips:

    • Copyright: Ensure you have permission to use copyrighted images
    • Medium: Always specify the medium in square brackets [Oil painting], [Photograph], etc.
    • Italics: Italicize artwork titles but not medium descriptions
    • Dates: Use "c." for approximate dates (circa)
    • Fair Use: Understand fair use guidelines for academic work