portraiture
UK: /ˈpɔːtrɪtʃə/ | US: /ˈpɔːrtrɪtʃər/
n. the art or practice of creating portraits
n. a collection or body of portraits
n. the manner or style in which a portrait is executed
The word "portraiture" derives from the Old French "portraiture," which itself comes from "portrait" (a likeness or depiction of a person). The root "portrait" originates from the Latin "protrahere," meaning "to draw forth" (pro<forward> + trahere<to draw>). Over time, "portraiture" evolved to specifically denote the art or result of creating portraits, retaining the core idea of "drawing forth" a person's likeness.
Her skill in portraiture earned her commissions from wealthy patrons.
The gallery exhibited a stunning collection of 18th-century portraiture.
Digital tools have revolutionized modern portraiture techniques.
His portraiture captures not just faces but the essence of his subjects.
The book explores the history of portraiture from Renaissance to contemporary art.