Artwork Classification and Medium Type Options

This article provides descriptions for the four artwork classification types available in CMS. When editing artwork metadata, it is important to add a classification and medium type to provide collectors with the information they need to inquire.

Classification Types

Artsy offers four classification types, which are available in a dropdown menu in the CMS artwork edit form.

1. Unique 

One-of-a-kind piece

2. Limited Edition

The edition run has ended; the number of works produced is known and included in the listing

3. Open Edition

The edition run is ongoing; new works are still being produced. Please note, open edition works can still be numbered. This classification includes made-to-order works.

4. Unknown Edition

The edition run has ended; it is unclear how many works were produced.

Medium Types

Artsy offers nineteen medium types, which are available in a dropdown menu in the CMS artwork edit form.

1. Architecture

Includes architectural models; buildings (e.g. house, temple)

2. Books and Portfolios

Includes albums; artist books; illustrated manuscripts; portfolios (i.e. group of works such as photographs or prints)

3. Design/Decorative Art

For objects that are primarily functional. Includes such items as containers (e.g. basket, bowl, box, vase); furniture (e.g. cabinet, chair, table); lighting; mirrors; tableware (e.g. flatware, plates). 

4. Drawing, Collage or Other Work on Paper

Includes collages; drawings; figure drawing; pen and ink; sketch. 

This medium type also includes paintings where paper is the support, use “Drawing, Collage or Other Works on Paper,” per the definition provided by the Getty.

5. Ephemera or Merchandise

Items related to the artist, created or manufactured for a specific or limited use. This also includes exhibition materials, memorabilia, autographs, skateboards, toys, and other items made with branded collaborators, etc.

6. Fashion Design and Wearable Art

Includes costumes; garments (e.g. dress, jacket)

7. Jewelry

Includes costume accessories; bracelets; brooches; earrings; necklaces; rings. For costume accessories and ornaments of precious or semiprecious materials meant for personal adornment, like bracelets, chatelaines, earrings, pendants, necklaces, and rings, use this medium type.

8. Installation

Includes land art; installation art; site-specific art

9. Mixed Media

Intermedia; Multimedia work that does not fall into another medium type category (ex: Drawing, Collage, or Other work on paper). 

Should be used only for works that employ several distinct art forms, such as sculpture and music. Mixed Media should not be used as a medium type for mixed techniques applied to a single art form (e.g. a drawing with pen and ink over black chalk, heightened with white pigment).

10. Other

Includes armor; musical instruments; tools

11. Painting

Includes gouache; fresco; ink and wash; oil painting; screen painting; scroll painting; tempera; watercolor. 

Traditional calligraphy and ink wash paintings, such as Chinese shuǐ mò huà (水墨畫), Japanese sumi-e (墨絵) or suibokuga (水墨画), and Korean sumukhwa (수묵화) should always be listed as “Painting,” whether they are on paper or silk in hanging scroll or screen format. 

For paintings where paper is the support, use “Drawing, Collage or Other Works on Paper,” per the definition provided by the Getty.

It is assumed that a painting listed on Artsy is already stretched. If a work is being sold unstretched, please disclosed this in the "additional information" field.

12. Performance Art

Includes body art; endurance art; live performance

13. Photography

Includes chromogenic color prints (i.e. c-print); polaroids; silver gelatin prints; photograms

14. Prints

Includes etchings; engravings; lithographs; monoprints; screen prints; woodcuts

15. Posters

Includes advertisements; offset lithograph posters. Please note that this does not include exhibition posters (see Merchandise and Ephemera).

16. Reproduction

Reproduction of an original work authorized by the artist, the artist's studio or estate. Artist involvement is not implicit. This includes plates from illustrated books, museum replicas, etc.

17. Sculpture

Includes assemblage; bas-relief; carvings; figurines; masks; mosaics; statues; wall pieces. Please note: this does not include figurines made with branded collaborators (ex: BE@RBRICK, Medicom), please use “Ephemera or Merchandise” in such instances. 

Ancient statues and sculptural works made for ceremonial or religious use, including carvings, masks, and ritual figures, should be recorded as “Sculpture.” Architectural details that are no longer functional or in-situ, such as classical ruins, frieze reliefs, lintels, inscribed panels, molded tiles, and mosaics, should also be listed as “Sculpture.”

18. Textile Arts

Includes banners; carpets; rugs; samplers; tapestries; weavings

19. Video/Film/Animation

Includes 16 mm film; computer animation; video recordings 

20. NFT

Non-fungible token. Indicates that the primary medium of the work is the NFT.

The Importance of Accurate Information

Adding an artwork classification and medium type is an important step in maintaining accurate metadata on your artwork listings. Apart from providing crucial information collectors need in order to decide to inquire, Artsy uses artwork metadata to allow collectors to browse and filter by medium, size, price point, and date site-wide. Make the most of your inventory by providing complete and accurate information. Works with complete information (title, date, medium, dimensions, and editions information) receive more inquiries on average.

For more information about artwork metadata, click here.