acquire a portrait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquire a portrait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of obtaining or purchasing a portrait, whether it be a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation. Example: "After years of searching, I finally managed to acquire a portrait of my great-grandfather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Until 2001, the gallery's policy was to acquire a portrait of someone not a president only after the person had been dead for 10 years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Lowry said that Kirk Varnedoe, the museum's chief curator of paintings and sculpture, first thought of a Roulin show in 1989, when the museum acquired a portrait of Roulin from 1888-89 thas has become a star of its permanent collection.

The New York Times - Arts

She is the author of Love and Capital: Karl and Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution, Notorious Victoria: The Life of Victoria Woodhull, Uncensored and The Art of Acquiring: A Portrait of Etta and Claribel Cone.

Huffington Post

The Mint acquired a portrait lathe in 1837, which allowed Gobrecht to work in large models for the later versions of the Gobrecht dollar, and for the Seated Liberty dollar.

Wikipedia

For example, some collectors strive to acquire a complete set of portraits of notable figures in either a narrow or a very broad field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Working with the Art Fund charity, Nairne managed to raise £10m, the gallery's largest ever public appeal, which included donations from 10,000 individuals, to acquire a magnificent Van Dyck self-portrait.

The Guardian - Arts

Paul Eastwood, Stamford In 1845 John Snare, a Reading bookseller, acquired for £8 a portrait of Charles I undertaken shortly before he became king.

The Guardian - Books

He acquired a great reputation, especially for his female portraits.

Heritage Science

"Living outside a tiny village, in the middle of nowhere, I had no subjects except for myself," she explains, "and I suppose that's why I started experimenting with self-portraits, which later on acquired a more personal and deeper meaning to me".

Vice

I acquired a stalker.

Vice

He early acquired some reputation as a portrait and landscape painter and made an adequate living.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about institutions or museums, using "acquire a portrait" can highlight the importance of adding significant artwork to their collection. For instance, "The National Gallery sought to "acquire a portrait" by a renowned artist to enhance its collection."

Common error

Avoid using "acquire" interchangeably with verbs like "borrow" or "rent" when referring to a portrait. "Acquire" implies ownership, whereas "borrow" or "rent" suggests temporary possession. Ensure your verb choice accurately reflects the nature of obtaining the portrait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquire a portrait" primarily functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the action of obtaining ownership of a portrait. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquire a portrait" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of gaining ownership of a portrait. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts, primarily within news, encyclopedias, and media. While "acquire" suggests a formal tone, alternatives like "obtain a portrait" or "purchase a portrait" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure you are conveying the idea of ownership rather than temporary possession to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain a portrait

Focuses on getting the portrait, similar to acquire but can imply different methods of obtaining.

commission a portrait

Emphasizes the act of ordering and paying for a portrait to be created.

purchase a portrait

Highlights the financial transaction involved in getting a portrait.

procure a portrait

More formal than "acquire", suggesting effort in obtaining the portrait.

secure a portrait

Suggests making sure that one can get the portrait, implies a sense of competition to do so.

come into possession of a portrait

Formal way of saying acquire, can imply getting it by inheritance or gift.

gain ownership of a portrait

Focuses on the legal aspect of getting a portrait.

add a portrait to one's collection

Refers to getting a portrait with the intention of adding it to an existing collection.

arrange for a portrait

Highlights the planning and preparation involved in getting a portrait.

take possession of a portrait

Emphasizes the physical act of receiving a portrait.

FAQs

What does "acquire a portrait" mean?

The phrase "acquire a portrait" means to obtain ownership of a portrait, usually through purchase, donation, or commission. It implies a permanent addition to one's possessions or a collection.

What can I say instead of "acquire a portrait"?

You can use alternatives like "obtain a portrait", "purchase a portrait", or "commission a portrait" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "acquire a portrait" or "obtain a portrait"?

Both "acquire a portrait" and "obtain a portrait" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Acquire" can sound slightly more formal, while "obtain" is more commonly used in everyday language.

How do you use "acquire a portrait" in a sentence?

You can use "acquire a portrait" in a sentence like: "The museum plans to "acquire a portrait" of the famous author to add to its collection of literary figures." or "After years of searching, she was finally able to "acquire a portrait" of her ancestor."