How to Cite an Image in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 04/11/2025

In academic writing, visual content such as paintings, photographs, and illustrations can be effective tools to present analysis and ideas. However, the inclusion of images in academic writing also calls for proper citation, according to guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association (MLA).

This guide outlines how to cite various kinds of images based on the source and method of access. It also discusses how to present images as figures within the body of a paper.

Citing an Image Viewed Online

Photographs acquired from Internet collections, online archives, or institutional websites require more data compatible with their digital form. These involve the artist’s complete name, the title of the image within quotation marks if the image is not an independent work (use italics if the site features the image as a work of art), the name of the hosting site in italics, the date of publication or upload (when available), and the entire URL of the particular page with the image.

You must cite the page where the image is, not the site’s home page. If no date is provided, leave it blank and go on to the URL.

Citation	Van Gogh, Vincent. “The Starry Night.” The Museum of Modern Art, 12 Nov. 1979, www.moma.org/collection/works/79802.
Structure	Image Creator’s Last Name, First Name. “Image Title.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

This is the citation format used by the majority in papers presenting themes or visual qualities in various artists or comparing works found in online galleries. The digital images usually come with curatorial comments, and the reader can access the same context by quoting the very page number.

Avoid using access dates where the website content is unstable or will frequently be updated. MLA no longer requires an access date for stable institutional repositories.

Citing an Untitled Image from a Print Magazine

Images that appear in print publications like magazines or journals do not often have official captions. In such a case, the image description should be expressed in simple terms like Cartoon, Illustration, Photograph, or Cover image, depending on the presentation of the image. The artist’s name should be followed first by the description of the image, the title of the magazine in italics, the date of publication, and the page number the image is found on.

This citation style is useful if the image is being examined in a study of visual culture or media. Accurate citation of these sources is especially pertinent because they are likely to be editorial or commentary on culture.

Citation	Spiegelman, Art. Illustration. The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2011, p. 38.
Structure	Image Creator’s Last Name, First Name. Image Description. Magazine Title, Day Month Year, p. Page Number.

In that instance, the photograph was a full-page cartoon by Art Spiegelman, a regular artist for The New Yorker. The citation makes it possible for readers to locate the particular issue and page number to verify or check further.

If the photographer is unknown, begin with the image description and continue with the title of the magazine and dates of publication. Place “Photograph,” “Map,” “Advertisement,” or some other descriptive term according to the nature of the image.

Citing an Image Viewed in Person

When an image is viewed in person at a museum, gallery, or live show, the citation must reflect its physical setting. This type of citation includes five components: the creator’s full name, the title of the image in italics, the date that the image was created, the museum or institutional collection that owns the work, and the city in which the institution is located.

The title of the photograph must be italicized and exactly as presented by the institution. If no year is presented next to the photo, look on the museum label or wall text. If the museum states that the date is approximate (e.g., ca. 1425), include the approximation in the citation.

Citation	Hopper, Edward. Nighthawks. 1942, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.
Structure	Creator’s Last Name, First Name. Image Title. Year, Museum/Institution, Location.

This format is especially handy when writing about the artistic technique, composition, or historical context of a piece seen in person. Including the institution and city allows readers to identify the specific work, particularly if a famous artist has more than one work with the same title.

This type of citation must then appear in the Works Cited list at the end of the paper. In the case that the image is not actually included in the paper but is mentioned only in the text, this citation is sufficient to acknowledge the visual material.

Including Images as Figures in the Paper

When photos are placed directly within the body of a paper, MLA requests that they be captioned and labeled as figures. All images must be assigned a figure number in sequence (e.g., Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.). The caption will go immediately underneath the image and must begin with the figure label and number, followed by a period.

There are two correct methods for writing MLA captions:

Option 1: Full Citation in the Caption

This option includes all necessary source information directly in the figure caption. It must follow MLA citation style, but the author’s name is not inverted. Because the full citation is included below the image, it does not need to be repeated in the Works Cited list.

Caption Example:

Fig. 1. Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.

This method is preferred when the image is central to the argument or analysis and will not be cited again elsewhere in the paper.

Option 2: Brief Caption and Full Entry in Works Cited

In this approach, the caption only includes essential information: the creator’s name, image title, and the year. The complete citation is then included in the Works Cited section at the end of the paper.

Caption Example:

Fig. 2. Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889.

Works Cited Entry:

Citation

Van Gogh, Vincent. “The Starry Night.” The Museum of Modern Art, 1889, www.moma.org/collection/works/79802.

This method is useful for papers that include multiple images or reference the same image more than once, as it keeps the paper layout tidy while still meeting citation requirements.

Citing Images from Image Databases

When using academic image databases such as ARTstor, Britannica ImageQuest, or Digital Public Library of America, the citation includes the creator, title, date, database name in italics, and the URL or DOI.

Citation	Delacroix, Eugène. Liberty Leading the People. 1830. ARTstor, library.artstor.org/asset/ARTSTOR_13_457.
Structure	Creator’s Last Name, First Name. Image Title. Year. Database Name, URL.

This kind of citation is especially useful for art history or visual culture research papers, where images are sourced from digital archives.

In-Text References to Images

In addition to captions and Works Cited entries, images should be referenced in the main body of the text to show relevance. MLA recommends referring to the figure number in parentheses.

Example:

Hopper’s use of light and isolation in Nighthawks reflects American urban loneliness (see fig. 1).

This approach helps maintain a clear connection between written analysis and visual material.

Always Determine the Image Source Type First: Before writing the citation, determine through what means the image was accessed—whether viewed live, found online, or copied from a printed source. There is a distinct MLA citation style for each source type, so choosing the proper one ensures accuracy. Use Descriptive Labels for Untitled Images: If the image does not have a formal title, use a descriptive label like Photograph, Cartoon, or Illustration. Capitalize the first word of the description and capitalize it as if it were a title. This will alert readers to the nature of the image. Use MLA Figure Format When Inserting Images: When inserting images into your paper. Label each image as Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc. Include a caption directly below the image. Choose between full source information in the caption or a brief caption and a full entry in the Works Cited list. Double-Check for Quotation Marks and Italics In MLA style: Use italic for title of artworks, paintings, or freestanding pictures (e.g., Nighthawks). Use quotation marks for pictures that are part of a website or do not have an official title (e.g., “The Starry Night”).