How to Reference a Painting, Sculpture or Photograph Using MLA Style
- 1). Begin with the name of the artist, followed by a period. Just as authors are listed, artists' names also should be noted in the order last name, first name, middle initial. If the artist's name is Louisiana Browning, then your citation, thus far, should read: Browning, Louisiana.
- 2). Underline the title of the work.If your word processor will not support this type of formatting, then use a underscore symbol to indicate the words that should be underlined. Follow the title with another period. The the title of the work is "Mississippi Dusk," then your citation should now read: Browning, Louisiana. _Mississippi Dusk_.
- 3). List the year that the work was created, followed by a period. This information is usually available in an information booklet provided by the housing institution or on a card next to the painting. If Ms. Browning painted the work i 1978, then your citation should now read: Browning, Louisiana. _Mississippi Dusk_. 1978.
- 4). Add the name of the institution where the artwork is housed and a comma. This will generally be a museum, gallery, or possibly a private residence. For example, if the painting were displayed at The Southern Works Collections in Warner Robbins, Georgia, then your reference would now read:Browning, Louisiana. _Mississippi Dusk_. 1978. Southern Works Collections,
- 5). Finish with the city where the work of art is located and a period.In this example, this means that your finished citation will look like this: Browning, Louisiana. _Mississippi Dusk_. 1978. Southern Works Collections, Warner Robbins.
