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

Overall, Roman coinage comes with a variety of portraiture and other imagery, but every image and portrait has a purpose for whoever is deciding what to produce for the general Roman public. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

Velázquez worked with Mateo Aguado, the queen’s brilliant tailor, to dramatically dress the portraiture scene. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Barber’s designs were influenced by English styles and classical antiquity, with his portraiture praised by contemporaries and collectors. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 5 Sep. 2024

Focusing on tongues started out as a way to push myself past traditional portraiture. —Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Nov. 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