portraiture

noun

por·​trai·​ture ˈpȯr-trə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: the making of portraits : portrayal

2

: portrait

Synonyms

• definition
• delineation
• depiction
• description
• picture
• portrait
• portrayal
• rendering
• sketch
• vignette

Examples of portraiture in a Sentence

The museum is exhibiting portraiture from the late 19th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

His methodology blurred the lines between photography, video, portraiture, sculpture, and site-specific works. —Nathan Pugh, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

Since the ultimate creative act – and ultimate threat – would be the creation of other gods, Yahweh has reason to be especially wary of divine portraiture. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Yet Bacon was radical in striving to uncover man's base animal nature through portraiture. —The Week Uk, theweek, 25 Oct. 2024

Through that portraiture, however, the film delivers an excoriating verdict on a modern Britain characterized by compassionless labor politics, stagnant opportunity and shrugging acceptance of a stifling status quo. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purtreiture, portratowre, portrature "representation by painting or drawing, the art of painting or drawing," borrowed from Anglo-French purtraiture (also continental Old French pourtraiture), from purtrait, past participle of purtraire "to represent, depict" + -ure -ure — more at portray

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1