Yes. In most formal writing, the title of a painting is italicized: for example, *Mona Lisa* or *The Starry Night*. If you are writing in a format that does not support italics, use the style guide or platform’s prescribed alternative, usually quotation marks or plain text.
The Standard Rule for Painting Titles
Painting titles are generally treated as titles of standalone works of art, much like the titles of books, films, and sculptures. In ordinary prose, italicize the title and capitalize it according to the title’s established form or the style rules you are following. For instance: “Van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889.”
The rule applies whether the painting is famous or unfamiliar, and whether its title is short or long. It also applies when a painting title appears in a sentence, a caption, or a bibliography, though a particular publication may have its own formatting conventions. Italics signal that the words identify a complete artwork rather than a section within a larger work.
Use the title as it is conventionally recorded by a museum, catalogue, or other reliable source when possible. Some works have alternate titles, translations, or titles that developed after their creation. If the naming is uncertain, avoid presenting one form as unquestionably original; use the accepted title for the context and explain the variation if it matters.
Why Italics Are Used
Typography helps readers distinguish titles from the surrounding sentence. Compare “She discussed Girl with a Pearl Earring” with a sentence in which the same words are not marked as a title. Italics make the reference easier to recognize and follow a widely used convention for complete creative works.
Italics are not a claim that the artist personally supplied the title, nor do they indicate that a work is especially important. They are simply a formatting signal. The convention also does not mean every mention of a painting needs extra punctuation: the title remains part of the sentence and takes the punctuation required by that sentence.
How to Format Titles in Different Contexts
In an essay, article, or book manuscript, italicize a painting’s title when your chosen style guide calls for it. The same is normally true in digital text, where italics are available. In HTML, the semantic element <cite> can identify the title of a work, while <em> marks emphasis; many websites use italics visually for both, so follow the site’s editorial rules.
In handwriting, where italics cannot be reliably produced, underlining is a traditional substitute. In typed text that cannot show italics, consult the required style guide. Some formats use quotation marks as a practical substitute, while others leave the title unmarked; do not mix alternatives casually within the same piece.
- Formal prose: “The gallery displayed Las Meninas.”
- Handwritten work: Underline the title if your teacher or style guide specifies that convention.
- Plain-text systems: Follow the system’s rules; if none are given, choose a clear convention and use it consistently.
In a label or caption, the title may appear on a separate line and the design may distinguish it through size, weight, or layout rather than italics. That is a display choice, not a reason to alter the title. For academic writing, a style manual or assignment instructions take priority over a general rule.
Painting Titles Compared With Other Artworks
Many style systems italicize titles of standalone artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations. Short works that form part of a larger work may instead take quotation marks, depending on the style. For example, the title of a painting is typically italicized, while the title of a poem or a chapter in a book is commonly placed in quotation marks in many English-language styles.
Do not assume that every visual image is a painting. A photograph, print, mural, or digital artwork may have its own title and medium. The formatting convention often remains similar, but the accurate description matters: call a work a painting only when that is appropriate. When referring to a series, distinguish the series title from the title of an individual painting, and follow the publication’s capitalization and punctuation rules for each.
Common Problems and Exceptions
A frequent mistake is putting a painting title in quotation marks simply because it appears in a sentence. Quotation marks are often used for shorter works, but a painting is generally treated as a complete, standalone work and italicized. Another mistake is italicizing a descriptive phrase that is not actually a title. “A portrait of a woman” is a description, not necessarily the work’s formal title.
Some artworks are known by more than one title. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, for example, is also widely known as La Gioconda. When a familiar alternate title is useful, you can introduce it in parentheses or explain it briefly; italicize each title. Historical works may also have titles assigned or standardized later, so it is safer to write “now commonly known as” when the distinction is important than to imply that the artist chose the wording.
Capitalization can be less straightforward than italics. English title case is common in many contexts, but some institutions retain a different capitalization, and titles in other languages follow their language’s conventions. Preserve accents and special characters when practical, and use the form preferred by the relevant collection or style guide. Do not translate a title silently if the original wording is important; provide a translation separately when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are painting titles italicized or put in quotation marks?
Usually italicized, because a painting is a standalone work of art. Use quotation marks only if a required style guide or platform specifically directs you to use them as a substitute.
Do I italicize a painting title in an essay?
Yes, in most essays and formal writing. Follow your instructor’s directions or the assigned style guide if they specify a different convention.
Should I italicize painting titles in a bibliography?
Usually, yes, but bibliography entries follow the rules of the citation style being used. Check the relevant manual for the complete entry, including artist, date, medium, and collection information where required.
Do painting titles need quotation marks as well as italics?
No. Italics alone are normally enough. Quotation marks may still be needed for punctuation or for a quotation within the title, but do not add them simply to mark the title.
What if I cannot type italics?
Use the substitute required by the platform or style guide. Underlining is traditional in handwriting; in plain-text settings, quotation marks or unmarked titles may be specified, so consistency is more important than choosing a substitute at random.
A Simple Rule to Remember
For ordinary writing, italicize the title of a painting: The Starry Night, Guernica, or The Birth of Venus. Keep the title’s wording accurate, use quotation marks only when a specific convention calls for them, and defer to the style guide when one is provided. That approach is clear, consistent, and suitable for most essays, articles, and general references.
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