DEFINITION
The titles or names given to a work of art, architecture, or group, as
well as the type of title, and the dates when the title was valid.
SUBCATEGORIES
GENERAL
DISCUSSION
This category is considered core, even when a work has only a name
and no proper title, because it is critical to always have a name
by which to refer to the work. The category is also useful for retrieval,
even though it is a free-text field.
What
is a title?
This category records both titles and names that serve as titles. It records
titles in the traditional Western sense, that is, descriptive phrases
that refer to the iconographical subject or theme of the art work, such
as Adoration of the Magi, or Portrait of Thomas Jefferson.
It also records names of objects, architecture, or groups that
do not have a title per se. Such names could include the object
type of the work (e.g., Ceramic Bowl) or the dedication or name
of a building (e.g., Saint Paul's Cathedral).
Titles
can be descriptive, such as Perspective View of the Old Testament Portal
from the North Transept, Chartres Cathedral, or figurative, such as
After Rain in the Magic Garden. They can refer to religious subjects,
such as The Annunciation [Figure
28], or to mythical or literary subjects, such as Farewell of Telemachus
and Eucharis [Figure
6], or to historical events, such as Battle of the Little Big Horn.
It is also possible, especially in contemporary art, for a work to be
called Untitled. Use Untitled only when this is the name
assigned by the artist or repository.
Decorative objects, non-Western art, archaeological works, or groups are
often known by a name rather than by a title (e.g., Chandelier [Figure
4] or Rolltop Desk [Figure
13], Mask, or Portfolio of Sketches). Such names are
sometimes based on classification terms or object types. They may also
be modified by phrases that serve to identify and briefly describe the
work itself. These names or terms therefore perform the same distinguishing
function as a title.
Object
types or names can be used in combination with other information as titles.
They may include literary references, such as the Culprit Fay (mirror-frame).[1]
They can also include references to their owners, or the places where
they were used, such as the Burghley Bowl, [2]
the Leinster Service, [3]
the Lansdowne Herakles [Figure
5], or the Sears Tower. Object names can simply be descriptions,
such as Lidded Bowl on Stand [Figure
1]. Names may refer to the geographic location of the object or building,
such as Siena Cathedral.
Some works, such as manuscripts, may be known by an appellation based
on a particular numbering system, such as Harley 609.
Titles
or names given to works of art may have a particular meaning for the artist;
therefore, accurately transcribe the wording, language, punctuation, and
idiom in an artist's title. In some cases, the title assigned to
a work by the artist provides essential insight into the meaning of the
work.
A
significant change in a work's title or name can often indicate an art-historical
discovery. For example, when the subject of a drawing was correctly identified,
its title changed from Study for a Female Figure Holding a Sword
to Study for Fame Revealing Cardinal Richelieu.[4]
Cataloging
rules
For the subcategories in this section, basic recommendations
and discussion are provided below. For a fuller, more prescriptive
set of cataloging rules for some of the subcategories, see
"Title" in Chapter 1: Object Naming in
Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO), which deals with a
critical subset of the CDWA.
RELATED
CATEGORIES and ACCESS
The
subcategory TITLES OR NAMES - TEXT is a Primary Access Point. Searching
on the title or name of a work is a common way to retrieve it. As different
works often have the same title, searches should be qualified by information
from other categories. Names and titles are used to identify a particular
work of art or architecture. However, as many works can have the same
title, such as Madonna and Child, titles must be combined with
other categories of information, including CURRENT LOCATION and CREATION.
Researchers
may also want to use the title of a group of works or a series title,
such as Marcel Duchamp's Prière de Toucher, to assemble
all the single works that were once part of this collective work.
3.1. Title Text 
DEFINITION
Titles, identifying phrases, or names given to a work of art, architecture,
or material culture. For complex works, series, or collections, the title
may refer to a discrete unit within the larger entity (a print from a
series, a photograph in a collection, a panel from a fresco cycle, a building
within a temple complex) or it may identify only the larger entity (series,
collection, cycle) itself.
EXAMPLES
-
Venus and Cupid
- Les Adieux de Télémaque et Eucharis [Figure
6]
- The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis [Figure
6]
- Polyptych with Saint James Major, Madonna and Child, and various
Saints [Figure
2]
- Virgin of the Rocks
- La vierge à l'hostie
- Battle of Little Big Horn
- Adoration of the Magi
[Figure 24]
- Portrait Study of a Man [Figure
32]
- Portrait of a Halberdier (Francesco Guardi?) [Figure
8]
- Queen Dedes as Prajnaparamita
- Eight Scenes of the Xiao-Xiang Rivers
- Sketches and Studies after Roman tombs
- Site Plan for the Opera at the Placedu Palais Royal, Paris
- Sculptural Group of Two Griffins Attacking a Fallen Doe
- Male Torso
- Noli me tangere
- The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even
- Death and Fire
- Nave Nave Mahana
- Asante Figurative Goldweight
- Lidded Bowl on Stand [Figure
1]
- Finger-Ring Amulet
- Chandelier [Figure
4]
- Untitled
- Number One
- Empire State Building
- Santa Maria Novella
- MS Ludwig XV
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Required:
Record at least one title or name for the work, group of works,
collection, or series. If a work has been known by multiple titles or
names, include them in repeating instances of this subcategory.
Specificity
Titles should generally be concise and specific to the work. A preferred
descriptive title should be concise (e.g., from the National Gallery of
Art in Washington, Maiolica Plate with Profile Bust), but an alternate
title may include more details (e.g., Maiolica Plate with Running Plant
Border and Geometric Panels on Well; in the Center, Profile Bust of a
Man in Armor).
Form
and syntax
Record titles and names in title case, not sentence case. Maintain consistent
capitalization, punctuation, and syntax in titles across the database
where possible. Capitalize proper names in the title. For titles derived
from authoritative sources, follow the capitalization and punctuation
of the source. For constructed titles in English, capitalize the first
word and all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and subordinate
conjunctions; use lower case for articles, coordinate conjunctions, and
prepositions, unless they are the first word of the title. For titles
in other languages, follow capitalization rules of that language.
For
the preferred title, avoid abbreviations. Include common abbreviations
in alternate titles to provide access. Generally avoid initial articles,
unless it is commonly used and confusion could result if it were omitted
(e.g., La Vierge). For the preferred title, use the language of
the catalog record, except when the title is commonly expressed in another
language (e.g., Noli me tangere). Include translations of the title
in other languages, if known.
Preferred
title
One title for each work must be flagged as preferred. For the
preferred title, use a concise descriptive title in the language of the
catalog record, if possible. The preferred title should be a recent title provided
by the owning institution, a concise inscribed title, or a title provided
by the artist, if known and if it is sufficiently descriptive. Construct
a descriptive title if necessary. Flag the preferred title; see TITLES
OR NAMES - PREFERENCE below. Exception: If the work is commonly
known by a title, use that title as preferred, even if it is not
descriptive. However, a descriptive title is still required and should
be flagged with TITLE - TYPE descriptive.
In brief: Give precedence to owning institution's and artist's titles when choosing a preferred title. However, if these titles are not descriptive, they should be flagged as preferred, but a separate non-preferred descriptive title should be created and flagged Descriptive.
Types of titles
Include the following types of titles. Label them appropriately using
TITLE - TYPE.
Descriptive title: The descriptive title must convey to the user
what the work is or what its subject is about. Also record the subject
in SUBJECT. If the repository title or another title is descriptive,
the cataloger need not construct one. If the preferred title is not
descriptive and in the language of the catalog record, it is required
to also display the descriptive title to end-users.
Inscribed
title: Include any title that was applied to the work by the creator
with the apparent purpose of giving it a title. If the inscribed title
is not descriptive, it need not be the preferred title, but it
should be included as an alternate title. For prints and books,
record any title inscribed in the printing plate or on the title page
(e.g., Cabinet des Beaux Arts [Figure
34]). For books, it is customary to make the inscribed title preferred;
however, if the inscribed title is not descriptive, a desctiptive title
should also be included. The inscribed title may also be recorded with
other inscriptions in the INSCRIPTIONS/MARKS category.
Creator's and repository's titles: Include any titles assigned
to the work by the creator or by the repository.
Collective
titles: In general, avoid putting two titles in the same title field.
If the work is part of a series or other larger whole, if possible catalog
both the part and the whole separately; a link between the two related
records would allow for a display of both titles in the record for the
part. However, if it is not possible to catalog both the part and the
whole, include the title for the larger whole in the title (e.g., Le
Cheval Rayé from the Les Anciennes Indes
[Figure 25]). If the parts of a work are not cataloged separately,
include the titles of two or more parts in the same title field (e.g.,
Two Standing Male Figures (recto); A Reclining Figure, Two Partial
Figures (verso)).
Constructing
a title
If a title must be constructed, it may include the following types of
content:
Iconography:
Where appropriate, list named religious, mythological, literary,
historical, or allegorical themes or subjects (e.g., Battle of Little
Big Horn or Shiva and his Consorts).
Proper
names: Include named or anonymous figures, other works, or places
depicted in the work, using proper names, if known (e.g., Plan and
Elevation of the Houses of Parliament, London or Portrait of
Abraham Lincoln ).
Work
type: For decorative works, utilitarian works, archaeological works,
architecture, or groups of works that do not have a title per se, include
a descriptive phrase or name based on work types or a brief physical
description the work (e.g., Silver Chocolate Pot). The work type
may be combined with the names of iconographical or other themes (e.g.,
Vessel with Zeus Chasing the Trojan Prince Ganymede).
Owners:
Where appropriate, record a title that includes the names of current
or former owners, a current or former location, or other historical
references (e.g., Bayeux Tapestry).
Architecture:
For architecture, record a descriptive name, a name that refers to the
owner, a dedication (e.g., for a church), or a street address, as appropriate.
Many buildings do not have names, in which case the title may refer
to the work type (e.g., Amphitheater) or it may be a longer descriptive
phrase. For manuscripts or other works, if appropriate, record an appellation
based on a particular numbering system, such as a "shelfmark"
(e.g., British Museum Harley 2788).
Unknown titles: For works for which a title must be constructed,
but where the work type and purpose are unknown, construct a descriptive
title using any generic information available (e.g., Abstract Composition).
Do not use the word Untitled as a title unless the work has intentionally
been called Untitled by the creator.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field. If there is
important information in the TITLE, such as Object/Work type, subject,
etc., index this information in the pertinent controlled subcategory elsewhere
in the record.
RELATED
CATEGORIES and ACCESS
If
the title includes the type of work, repeat it in OBJECT/WORK. Its parts
should be listed in OBJECT/WORK- COMPONENTS. Classification terms in the
title may also be recorded in CLASSIFICATION. Inscribed titles should
be transcribed with other inscriptions in the INSCRIPTIONS/MARKS category.
The subject of the work whose title is given here is recorded in SUBJECT
MATTER.
3.2. Title Type
DEFINITION
The
kind of title or name assigned to a work.
EXAMPLES
descriptive
repository
inscribed
artist's
former
translated
constructed
original
brand name
popular
published
series
manuscript designation
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a term indicating the type
of title. It is required to record a descriptive title.
Use terms in lower case.
It
is particularly important to label the descriptive title, the repository
title, any inscribed title, or the artist's title. Each title may have
multiple Title Types (e.g., one title may be repository, descriptive,
and artist's).
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control this subcategory with
a controlled list: preferred, descriptive, repository,
inscribed, artist's, former, translated, and others as
required.
3.3. Preference
DEFINITION
An
indication of whether the title is the preferred title for the work.
EXAMPLES
preferred
alternate
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Designate if the title is a preferred
or alternate title/name. Use lower case.
If there are multiple titles, it is recommended to mark one
of them as preferred, to be used by default in displays.
The preferred title should be a descriptive title in the language
of the catalog record. See further discussion above under
TITLES OR NAMES - TEXT.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control this subcategory with a controlled
list. Recommended values: preferred, alternate.
3.4. Title Language
DEFINITION
The
language of the title or name.
EXAMPLES
English
French
Italian
Liturgical Latin
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a term indicating the language
of title. Capitalize the names of languages.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled list: Control this subcategory with a controlled
list. Values may be derived from a source such as Ethnologue: Languages
of the World. 14th edition. Barbara F. Grimes, ed. Dallas, Texas:
SIL International, 2000. The ISO-639 standard may be used for language
codes; however, if ISO codes are used, values must be translated into
legible form for end-users.
3.5. Title Date
DEFINITION
A
description of the date on which a particular title was assigned to the
work, or a range of dates during which a title was known to be valid.
EXAMPLES
1887
late 17th century
until 1986
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional:
Record the dates or date range when a title was used. Include references
to uncertainty or ambiguity as necessary.
Form and syntax
Follow the applicable rules for display dates in CREATION
- CREATION DATE.
Since titles may change over time, it is important to know
when a particular title was in use. The date for titles or
names can be used to identify the work in documents from the
time the title was current or to understand how it was interpreted
at a particular time.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text: This is not a controlled field. Maintain consistent
capitalization, punctuation, and syntax where possible. Index the dates
in the controlled EARLIEST and LATEST DATE subcategories.
3.5.1. Earliest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date on which a particular title was assigned to the work
or was valid.
EXAMPLES
1877
1670
1950
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the earliest year indicated by the display
DATE.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record EARLIEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
LATEST DATE. See rules at CREATION - CREATION DATE - EARLIEST
DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be formatted consistently
to allow retrieval. Local rules should be in place. Suggested formats
are available in the ISO Standard and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International Organization
for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange Formats. Information
Interchange. Representation of Dates and Times. Geneva, Switzerland:
International Organization for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
3.5.2. Latest Date
DEFINITION
The earliest date on which a particular title was assigned to the work
or was valid.
EXAMPLES
1897
1699
1986
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the latest year indicated by the display
DATE.
Form and syntax
Always record years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar in
the indexing dates fields. It is optional to record LATEST
DATE; however, if you record a value here, you must also record
EARLIEST DATE. See rules at CREATION - CREATION DATE - LATEST
DATE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Controlled format: Date information must be formatted consistently
to allow retrieval. Local rules should be in place. Suggested formats
are available in the ISO Standard and W3 XML Schema Part 2.
ISO 8601:2004 Representation of dates and times. International Organization
for Standardization. Data Elements and Interchange Formats. Information
Interchange. Representation of Dates and Times. Geneva, Switzerland:
International Organization for Standardization, 2004.
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes, 2001. www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/.
3.6. Remarks
DEFINITION
Additional notes or comments pertinent to information in this category..
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a note regarding the title
or name of the work. Use consistent syntax and format. For
rules regarding writing notes, see DESCRIPTIVE NOTE.
FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Use consistent syntax and format.
3.6. Citations
DEFINITION
A reference to a bibliographic source, unpublished document,
or individual opinion that provides the basis for the information
recorded in this category.
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record the source used for information
in this category. For a full set of rules for CITATIONS, see
RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Authority: Ideally, this information is controlled
by citations in the citations authority; see RELATED TEXTUAL
REFERENCES.
3.7.1. Page
DEFINITION
Page number, volume, date accessed for Web sites, and any
other information indicating where in the source the information
was found.
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: For a full set of rules for PAGE,
see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS - PAGE.
FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY
Free-text: This is not a controlled field.
Use consistent syntax and format.
EXAMPLES
[the
following examples include TITLE subcategories along with OBJECT/WORK-TYPE]
For portraits and named places
Object/Work Type:
pastel
Title/Name:
Portrait of Maria Frederike van Reede-Athlone at Seven Years
of Age Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
albumen print
Title/Name:
Naiche, Youngest Son of Cochise Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
painting
Title/Name:
Maude Adams as Joan of Arc Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
relief
Title/Name:
Relief of Nebhepetra Mentuhotep Preference:
preferred
[uncertainty regarding the identity of the sitter is expressed in
parentheses]
Object/Work Type:
painting
Title/Name:
Portrait of a Halberdier (Francesco Guardi?) Preference:
preferred
Title/Name:
Portrait of Cosimo I de'Medici Preference:
alternate Title Type: former
Object/Work Type:
handscroll
Title/Name:
Viewing the Waterfall at Longiu Preference:
preferred
Title/Name:
Longqiu guanpo tu Preference: alternate
Object/Work Type:
painting
Title/Name:
Autumn: On the Hudson River Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
design drawing | competition drawing
Title/Name:
Temple Design for the Lincoln Memorial Preference:
preferred
For genre scenes, unnamed people and places, abstract
[the repository title is in French, so a descriptive
title in English is included too]
Object/Work Type:
drawing
Title/Name:
Téte à téte Preference:
preferred Title Type: repository Language:
French
Title/Name:
Two Lovers Preference: alternate Title
Type: descriptive
Object/Work Type:
preparatory drawing
Title/Name:
Group of Nine Standing Figures Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
painting
Title/Name:
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon Preference: preferred
Title Type: repository
Title/Name:
Five Female Nudes Preference: alternate Title
Type: descriptive
Object/Work Type:
screen
Title/Name:
Eight-Planked Bridge (Yatsuhashi) Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
painting
Title/Name:
Landscape with Classical Ruins and Figures Preference:
preferred
[title includes parenthetical explanation of what a "hacha"
is]
Object/Work Type:
hacha
Title/Name:
Hacha (Ceremonial Ax) Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
assemblage | scatter pieces
Title/Name:
Tori Preference: preferred Title Type:
artist's
Title/Name:
Nine Forms Arranged Casually on the Floor Preference:
alternate Title Type: descriptive
Object/Work Type:
sculpture
Title/Name:
Unique Forms of Continuity in Space Preference:
preferred
Title/Name:
Abstract Bronze Sculpture Preference: alternate
Title Type: descriptive
For still lives
Object/Work Type:
etching
Title/Name:
Shell (Murex brandaris) Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
watercolor
Title/Name:
Still Life with Flowers Preference: preferred
For books and prints
Object/Work Type:
book | etchings | maps | plans | panoramas
Title/Name:
Theatrum civitatum nec non admirandorum Neapolis
et Siciliae regnorum Preference: preferred
Title Type: inscribed
Title/Name:
Views of the Cities and Sights of the Realm of Naples
and Sicily Preference: alternate Title
Type: descriptive
Object/Work Type:
color woodcuts
Title/Name:
Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: First Series Preference:
preferred
Title/Name:
First Series: Mt. Fuji Views Preference: alternate
Title/Name:
Fugaku sanjurokkei Preference: alternate
Object/Work Type:
gelatin silver print
Title/Name:
Chez Mondrian Title Type: repository
Preference: preferred
Title/Name:
Interior View of a Room and an Open Door Preference:
alternate Title Type: descriptive
Object/Work Type:
cartes-de-visite
Title/Name:
Peruvian Portrait Cartes-de-Visite Preference:
preferred
For iconography, literature, and events
[title of the larger work is included in parentheses
because the larger work is not cataloged separately]
Object/Work Type:
stained glass
Title/Name:
Theodosius Arrives at Ephesus (Scene from the Legend
of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus) Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type: cup
Title/Name:
Vessel with Mythological Scene of the Maya Underworld
Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
lithograph
Title/Name:
Battle of Bull's Run Preference: preferred
Title Type: artist's
Title/Name:
Battle of Manassas Preference: alternate
Title/Name:
Battle of Bull Run Preference: alternate
Object/Work Type:
etching
Title/Name:
Menuet de la Mariée Preference:
preferred Title Type: inscribed Title
Type: repository Language: French
Title/Name:
Minuet of the Bride Preference: alternate
Title Type: translated Language: English
[two scenes are in one work, both included in the title]
Object/Work Type:
panel painting | predella panel
Title/Name:
Creation of the World and Expulsion from Paradise
Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
fresco cycle
Title/Name:
Scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin Mary Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
mosaic
Title/Name:
Alexander the Great Defeating the Persian King Darius Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
statue
Title/Name:
Standing Parvati Preference: preferred
[characters in a Disney movie are named in the title, i.e., names
are "Turtle" and "Chipmunk"]
Object/Work Type:
production cel | cel set-up
Title/Name:
Turtle and Chipmunk Preference: preferred
Title/Name:
Turtle Washing Preference: alternate Title
Type: former
Object/Work Type:
statue fragment
Title/Name:
Head of a Buddha Preference: preferred
Work Type is the Title/Name
Object/Work Type:
vase
Title/Name:
Vase Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
bowl
Title/Name:
Broad-rimmed Bowl Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
basket
Title/Name:
Small Seed or Water-Carrying Basket Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
headrest
Title/Name:
Headrest in the Shape of an Elephant Preference:
preferred
Object/Work Type:
sacramentary | illuminated manuscript
Title/Name:
Sacramentary Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
doll
Title/Name:
Doll with China Head Preference: preferred
Object/Work Type:
rolltop desk
Title/Name:
Rolltop Desk Preference: preferred
Language: English
Title/Name:
Secrétaire à Cylindre Preference:
alternate Title Type: alternate Language:
French
For Textiles
[unfamiliar term is explained in parentheses]
Object/Work Type:
tunic
Title/Name:
Tunic with Tocapu (Geometric Pictographs) Preference:
preferred
[iconography is used as a title]
Object/Work Type:
tapestry
Title/Name:
Unicorn in Captivity Preference: preferred
For architecture and architectural sculpture
[title includes the iconography and the location of
the work]
Object/Work Type:
architectural sculpture
Title/Name:
Last Judgment, Chartres Preference: preferred
Title/Name:
Tympanum, South Transept, Chartres Title Type:
alternate
Object/Work Type:
observation tower
Title/Name:
Eiffel Tower Preference: preferred
Title/Name:
Tour Eiffel Preference: alternate
Title/Name:
Three-Hundred-Meter Tower Preference: alternate
Title Type: former
Object/Work Type:
temple | rotunda | church
Title/Name:
Pantheon Preference: preferred
Title/Name:
Santa Maria ad Martyres Preference: alternate
Title/Name:
Santa Maria Rotunda Preference: alternate
NOTE: The outline numbers are subject to change; they are
intended only to organize this document.
Revised 5 January 2011
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