portraiture

noun

por·​trai·​ture ˈpȯr-trə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce portraiture (audio)
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: the making of portraits : portrayal
2

Examples of portraiture in a Sentence

The museum is exhibiting portraiture from the late 19th century.
Recent Examples on the Web Hassan has been working for decades collecting and creating artefacts that embody his beloved Marrakech through portraiture. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024 Antique photographs of rural scenes and regional portraiture, picked up at local flea markets, hung on the pale yellow walls. Aimee Farrell, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Large cozy couch, my portraiture collection of women ranging from 17th century to Art Deco. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 One of the hallmarks of Sherald’s work is her use of traditional portraiture genres to feature Black figures through a style that has been described as simplified realism. Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 While their accounts serve as a testament to their family values, together, their stories also contribute to the mosaic of the modern Detroiter experience, captured by the museum in color and portraiture. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024 In his individual portraiture, Dosunmu delicately explores the revival of the idea of the Black diaspora, evident in the unexpected unification of stuff. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2023 Jack Davison is a British photographer known for his black-and-white portraiture. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The After, an 18-minute short on Netflix starring David Oyelowo and co-written by John Julius Schwabach, marks the directorial debut of Harriman, 46, previously known for his celebrity portraiture. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'portraiture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of portraiture was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near portraiture

Cite this Entry

“Portraiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portraiture. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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