Public Domain
Johannes Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance, c. 1664. National Gallery of Art, Washington. Public Domain. Original source: https://www.nga.gov/artworks/1236-woman-holding-balance
Artwork Credit Generator
Create a clear, copy-ready artwork credit for public domain and Creative Commons images using rights information from the original source.
Generated credit
Your copy-ready artwork credit will appear here.
Generated from information provided by the user. STILL does not verify copyright, licence status, permissions or the accuracy of source information. This credit is not a licence or proof of permission. Always check the original source page and its terms of use.
How to credit an artwork
An artwork credit usually includes the artist, title, date, museum or collection, rights statement and a link to the original source. Enter those details above to create a clear image attribution for a website, article, presentation, video or social post. This tool creates a practical credit line, not an academic citation in APA, MLA or Chicago style. It does not verify copyright, licence status, permissions or source accuracy. Always check the original museum, archive or repository page and follow its terms of use.
Editorial guidance
How to Write a Reliable Artwork Credit Line
A credit line identifies the artwork, names the source, and records the rights status exactly as stated by the source page.
Before publishing or sharing, check the original museum, archive or repository page for the record details and rights statement.
Illustrative templates — verify every detail on the source page.
CC0 1.0
Johannes Vermeer, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, c. 1662. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Open Access image, CC0 1.0. Original source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437881
CC BY 4.0
[Creator], [Title], [date]. [Museum or collection]. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Changes: [none / describe changes]. Original source: [URL of the original object or record page]
CC BY-SA 4.0
[Creator], [Title], [date]. [Museum or collection]. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: [none / describe changes]. [If adapted: Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.] Original source: [URL of the original object or record page]
Practical comparison
Public DomainMaterial is not protected by copyright, or has entered the public domain in the relevant context. Still cite the source record clearly.
CC0 1.0CC0 is a public-domain dedication through which the rights holder waives copyright and related rights as far as legally possible. Attribution is generally not required, but retaining source details and checking source-specific terms is good editorial practice.
CC BY 4.0Attribution is required. Include the creator, title, licence and source link where those details are available, and indicate whether changes were made.
CC BY-SA 4.0Attribution is required. Include the creator, title, licence and source link where those details are available, and indicate whether changes were made. If you remix, transform or build upon the material, distribute your contribution under the same licence.
Trusted public resources
FAQ
What information should an artwork credit include?
An artwork credit usually includes the artist or creator, artwork title, date where known, museum or collection, the rights or licence statement shown by the source, and a link to the original source page.
Is an artwork credit the same as permission to use an image?
No. A credit identifies the image and its source, but it does not itself grant permission or confirm that a proposed use is allowed.
What is the difference between Public Domain and CC0?
Public Domain describes material that is not protected by copyright or has entered the public domain in the relevant legal context. CC0 is a Creative Commons public-domain dedication through which a rights holder waives copyright and related rights as far as legally possible. Always check the source record and applicable terms.
What does the CC BY licence require?
CC BY requires appropriate attribution. Include the creator, title, licence name and source link where those details are available, and indicate whether changes were made. Always check the original source page and the official licence text.
What does the CC BY-SA licence require?
CC BY-SA requires appropriate attribution. Include the creator, title, licence name and source link where those details are available, and indicate whether changes were made. If you share adapted material, distribute your contribution under the same licence. Always check the original source page and the official licence text.
Can this generator verify copyright or licensing status?
No. This generator formats information you provide; STILL does not verify copyright, licence status, permissions or source accuracy.
Why should I link to the original source page?
Link to the original museum, archive or repository page whenever possible so readers can check the record, image information, rights statement and applicable terms.
STILL Letters
A quieter way to look, delivered by email.
Each letter from STILL brings together one image, one thought, and an invitation to look a little longer.
Read STILL
Beyond dimensions and credits, STILL is a place for looking slowly at art, architecture and visual culture.