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

What emerges is a vision of art as both sanctuary and resistance, and of portraiture as a form of quiet revolution—one that asks us, simply and profoundly, to look with love. —Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 19 June 2025

The process yielded a sharply detailed picture on a silver background and was usually used for studio portraiture. —Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025

Early artistic talent led Barnett to a specialized elementary school program, where her knack for portraiture clashed with Eurocentric limitations. —Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

But the movie’s verité style of thumbnail portraiture doesn’t always dovetail neatly with the other elements: the unloading of facts, getting those drone shots in and projecting a thriller-like atmosphere. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025

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