How to write a catalogue entry.

Beginning of entry:
Illustration of work of art
Illustration number
Title of work of art
Artist and life dates, if known
Date and/or period (periodization tends to be especially important for premodern art)
Country of origin
Medium
Dimensions
Location where the work of art is now: museum, gallery, private collection, etc.
Donor information/ provenance

Body of entry:
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK OF ART
General description of media
Discussion of format and function
General discussion of type of object (i.e., rattles, fans, etc.)
Discussion of any restoration
Basic description of how this particular work of art looks, with attention to detail
Formal analysis of composition

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTIST, THE PATRON, OR THE RECIPIENT
Artist’s biography
Influences on artist (or possibly who artist influenced)’
Comparison to other works of art by same artist, taking into account commonalities between the works
Discussion of something that the artist wrote that is not actually included as a part of the work of art but is relevant to understanding the work
Consideration of audience for whom work of art was intended, including patron and/or recipient
Reason for making the work of art
How it was originally displayed, if that information is known

CONTENT OF WORK OF ART
Discussion of period in which work of art was created
Making connection to society
Explanation of foreign/period terminology
Story that the work of art may be based on or derived from
Content of work of art, including perhaps how artist became interested in theme, or why artist was interested in theme, if known
Translation of any writing that is a part of the work of art
Reference to different kinds of evidence/sources (artistic, literary, etc.)
Discussion of symbolism (i.e., meaning of fisherman in Chinese philosophy/society/literature), with attention to detail, including potentially ow style conveys symbolism
Entry writer’s interpretation of piece

EXPLANATION OF HOW OBJECT FITS LARGER THEME OF EXHIBITION

End of entry:
Further documentary evidence, such as seals or owners’/collectors’ marks included on work of art
Bibliography of further references that discuss the work of art
Footnote that directs reader to a specific citation
Footnote that explains a term
Identification of entry’s author via name, initials, etc. in an exhibition curated by a group of people

For further information, please consult Sylvan Barnet, ed., A Short Guide to Writing about Art, 8th ed. (New York: Longman, 2004), 135-142.