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Citing Images - MLA style


  • For images reproduced in the text:
    • Have a figure number, abbreviated as "Fig. 1" for example.
    • Include artist's name, title of work (italicized), date of composition, medium of the reproduction and complete publication information of the source, including page, figure or plate numbers.
    • Medium of original work may be included.
  • For images referenced in a text:
    • Include them in Works Cited list without figure numbers.
    • List artist's name, title of work (italicized), date of composition, medium and name of institution that houses the collection.
  • Including URLs in citations of online resources is optional.
  • Be consistent with caption display choices throughout your paper or slideshow.

Works referenced in text

Neel, Alice. Nancy and the Rubber Plant. 1975. Oil on canvas. The Estate of Alice Neel.

Image scanned from a book reproduced in a text

Fig. 1. Alice Neel. Nancy and the Rubber Plant. 1975. The Estate of Alice Neel. Alice Neel. By Anne Temkin et al. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000. Plate 64. Print.

Image downloaded from ARTstor reproduced in a text

Fig. 2. Rogier van der Weyden. Saint Catherine of Alexandria. 1430-1432. Diptych panel. ARTstor. ARTstor, Inc., New York, New York. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. <http://www.artstor.org>. Digital Image.

Image downloaded from a museum website reproduced in a text

Fig. 3. Caravaggio. The Denial of Saint Peter. Early 15th century. Oil on canvas, 94 x 125.4 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. Digital Image.

Image downloaded from Flickr Commons reproduced in a text

Fig. 4. Thomas Eakins. William Rudolf O'Donovan. 1891. Photograph. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Flickr Commons. Yahoo! Inc.. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. Digital Image.

Image downloaded from Flickr (personal image collections, uploaded by others) reproduced in a text

Fig. 5. Friedrich von Schmidt, Vienna Rathaus. 1872-1883. Building. Harshil Shah. Vienna - Rathaus. 2009. Digital Image. Flickr. Yahoo! Inc. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/harshilshah/3823135957/>.


Last modified: 3 February 2015