Are Artwork Titles Italicized?
MLA treats works of art as normally independent works, so their titles are styled in italics even when the work is encountered through a museum website. Special cases such as ascribed ancient titles can require additional nuance.
In MLA-style writing, normally italicize the title of a work of art.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This is a style convention. Special cases and other required style manuals can differ, so follow the governing style for the document.
Further guidance
Example
MLA-style invented example: Rivera’s painting *Evening Harbour* is italicized as the artwork title; the museum website name is a separate source element.
Practical Application
In MLA-style prose, normally italicize the title of an independently titled work of art, including when you encountered the work through a museum website.
Reader Check
Confirm that the wording is actually the artwork’s title rather than a museum label, descriptive caption, collection name, or ascribed title requiring special treatment.
Recommendation
Normally italicize artwork titles in MLA-style prose.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- How do I style the title of a work published online? (opens in a new tab)Modern Language Association · Style guidance distinguishing italicized titles of independent works such as movies and television series from quoted episode titles