Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

Middle French, from past participle of ''portraire''

Middle French, from past participle of ''portraire''

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1570]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1570]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: [[picture]]; especially : a pictorial [[representation]] of a [[person]] usually showing the [[face]]

*1: [[picture]]; especially : a pictorial [[representation]] of a [[person]] usually showing the [[face]]

A '''portrait''' is a [[painting]], photograph, [[sculpture]], or other artistic [[representation]] of a person, in which the [[face]] and its [[expression]] is predominant. The [[intent]] is to display the likeness, [[personality]], and even the [[mood]] of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully [[engage]] the subject with the viewer.

A '''portrait''' is a [[painting]], photograph, [[sculpture]], or other artistic [[representation]] of a person, in which the [[face]] and its [[expression]] is predominant. The [[intent]] is to display the likeness, [[personality]], and even the [[mood]] of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully [[engage]] the subject with the viewer.

When the artist creates a ''portrait'' of him- or herself, it is called a [[self]]-portrait. Identifiable examples become numerous in the late Middle Ages, but if the definition is extended the first was by the Egyptian Pharaoh [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten Akhenaten]'s sculptor Bak, who carved a representation of himself and his [[wife]] Taheri c. 1365 BC. However, it seems likely that self-portraits go back to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_paintings cave paintings], the earliest representational art, and literature records several classical examples that are now lost.

When the artist creates a ''portrait'' of him- or herself, it is called a [[self]]-portrait. Identifiable examples become numerous in the late Middle Ages, but if the definition is extended the first was by the Egyptian Pharaoh [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten Akhenaten]'s sculptor Bak, who carved a representation of himself and his [[wife]] Taheri c. 1365 BC. However, it seems likely that self-portraits go back to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_paintings cave paintings], the earliest representational art, and literature records several classical examples that are now lost.

In [[literature]] the term ''portrait'' refers to a [[written]] [[description]] or [[analysis]] of a person or thing. A written portrait often gives deep [[insight]], and offers an analysis that goes far beyond the [[superficial]]. For example, American author [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Cornwell Patricia Cornwell] wrote a best-selling book titled ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Killer Portrait of a Killer]'' about the personality, background, and possible [[motivations]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper Jack the Ripper], as well as the [[media]] coverage of his [[murders]], and the subsequent police [[investigation]] of his [[crimes]].

In [[literature]] the term ''portrait'' refers to a [[written]] [[description]] or [[analysis]] of a person or thing. A written portrait often gives deep [[insight]], and offers an analysis that goes far beyond the [[superficial]]. For example, American author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Cornwell Patricia Cornwell] wrote a best-selling book titled ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Killer Portrait of a Killer]'' about the personality, background, and possible [[motivations]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper Jack the Ripper], as well as the [[media]] coverage of his [[murders]], and the subsequent police [[investigation]] of his [[crimes]].

[[Category: The Arts]]

[[Category: The Arts]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]