Portrait vs. Picture — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
A portrait is an artistic representation, usually of a person, with a focus on the face, while a picture refers to any visual representation, such as photographs, drawings, or paintings.
Difference Between Portrait and Picture
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A portrait is specifically a depiction of a person or animal in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. A picture, however, is a broader term that can refer to any visual representation, including landscapes, abstract art, or digital images.
While portraits are often created through painting, drawing, or photography, focusing on realism or artistic interpretation of the subject, pictures encompass a wide range of visual representations. A picture can be a photograph, a graphic, a diagram, or any other imagery captured or created through various mediums.
Portraits are usually intended to reveal the relationship between the subject and the artist. They often serve as a sort of dialogue between the sitter and the viewer, with the portrait artist as the mediator. Pictures, on the other hand, might not involve personal engagement and can represent anything that can be visualized.
In portraits, the composition, lighting, and pose are typically deliberate, aiming to reveal the character and status of the sitter. In contrast, the composition of a picture can be as varied as the subjects it represents, not necessarily focusing on any individual but rather on creating a scene, recording an event, or illustrating a concept.
The term portrait implies a certain level of formality and consideration of the subject's identity. It's a subset within the broader category of pictures, which do not require any of the human-focused characteristics of a portrait. Pictures can be candid, unplanned, or purely fictional, without the necessity of a living subject.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An artistic depiction of a person's likeness, often focusing on the face.
A general term for any visual representation, regardless of content or medium.
Purpose
To convey the personality or mood of the individual.
Can vary greatly; to record, inform, entertain, or create aesthetically pleasing views.
Content
Centrally features humans or animals.
Can include anything from landscapes to abstract compositions.
Medium
Traditional mediums include paintings and photographs.
Encompasses all mediums, including digital images and 3D models.
Focus
Emphasis on the individual's identity and expression.
Focus can be on any element, subject, or theme.
Compare with Definitions
Portrait
A portrait often focuses on the subject's face and expression.
Her portrait captured a thoughtful gaze that seemed to follow you.
Picture
A picture is a visual representation created on a surface, such as a drawing or photograph.
I hung a picture of the mountains on my wall for inspiration.
Portrait
A portrait can be realistic or abstract, capturing the essence of the subject.
The abstract portrait used colors and shapes to portray the subject's personality.
Picture
A picture can capture a scene, event, or object, providing a visual account.
The picture in the textbook helped me understand the concept better.
Portrait
A portrait is traditionally a formal representation of an individual.
They commissioned a portrait for their family's ancestral home.
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Portrait
A portrait is a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person.
The gallery displayed a portrait of the city's founder.
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Portrait
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.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Portrait
A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Portrait
A verbal representation or description, especially of a person.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Portrait
A dramatic representation of a character
The actor's portrait of the famous general.
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Portrait
The orientation of a page such that the longer side runs from top to bottom.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Portrait
(countable) A painting or other picture of a person, especially the head and shoulders.
Picture
A movie.
Portrait
An accurate depiction of a person, a mood, etc.
The author painted a good portrait of urban life in New York in his latest book.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Portrait
A print orientation where the vertical sides are longer than the horizontal sides.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Portrait
(obsolete) To portray; to draw.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Portrait
Representing the actual features of an individual; not ideal.
A portrait bust; a portrait statue
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Portrait
The likeness of a person, painted, drawn, or engraved; commonly, a representation of the human face painted from real life.
In portraits, the grace, and, we may add, the likeness, consists more in the general air than in the exact similitude of every feature.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Portrait
Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of a person; as, a portrait in words.
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Portrait
To portray; to draw.
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Portrait
A painting of a person's face
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Portrait
A word picture of a person's appearance and character
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Portrait
Any likeness of a person;
The photographer made excellent portraits
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Portrait
A portrait can also be a sculptural representation of a person.
The marble portrait stood prominently in the museum's entrance.
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Picture
A figure; a model.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Picture
A picture refers to any image, still or moving, like in movies or on screens.
The picture quality on her new phone was incredibly clear.
Picture
A picture can be a graphical display of information or data.
The presentation included a picture of the company's growth over the years.
Picture
A picture is often used to illustrate a story or accompany text.
Each chapter of the book started with a picture depicting the main theme.
Common Curiosities
Can landscapes be considered portraits?
No, landscapes are not portraits as they do not depict a person or animal's likeness.
What is a portrait?
A portrait is an artistic representation of a person, often focusing on the face and expression.
What does a picture encompass?
A picture can be any visual representation, including photographs, drawings, paintings, or digital images.
Is every portrait a picture?
Yes, every portrait qualifies as a picture, but not all pictures are portraits.
Are portraits always realistic?
Portraits can be both realistic or abstract, as long as they convey the essence of the subject.
Can a portrait be of an animal?
Yes, portraits can also depict animals, emphasizing their features and personality.
Do portraits have to be painted?
No, portraits can also be drawn, photographed, or created using various artistic mediums.
Are pictures only still images?
Pictures can be still or moving, as the term also applies to images in videos and films.
Can pictures be abstract?
Yes, pictures can be abstract, representing concepts or emotions rather than realistic scenes.
Can digital art be considered a picture?
Yes, digital art is a form of picture, created using electronic means.
Are selfies considered portraits?
Yes, selfies are a form of self-portrait photography.
What is the primary focus of a portrait?
The primary focus of a portrait is to depict the subject's appearance and character.
What is the main difference between a portrait and a picture?
The main difference is that a portrait specifically depicts a person or animal, while a picture can represent any visual content.
Can a picture tell a story?
Yes, pictures can tell stories by capturing moments, emotions, and narratives visually.
Is a portrait more formal than a picture?
Portraits tend to be more formal, often carefully composed to convey the identity of the subject.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
