How to write a catalogue entry:

Photograph
Caption

Catalogue number

Data:
Title
Artist’s name
Date
Medium
Dimensions
Location

Artist’s biography

Historical context
Time period
Relation of work of art to historical events
When and why something was made
Function of the work of art
Identity of patron (person who commissions work of art)

Formal analysis
Technique
Comparisons to other works of art

Description of content, with definitions of key words and vocabulary
Meanings of subject matter
Explanation of symbols
Narrative

Passage from some other author’s writing – break-out box

History of the work of art itself (provenance)
Condition report

References and further reading / bibliography
Previous publications
Footnotes / citations