portrait of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'portrait of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a painting, photograph, or other representation of a person's likeness. For example: "This painting is a beautiful portrait of my grandmother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a portrait of L.A".

The New York Times - Arts

Above: A portrait of Lei Feng.

The New Yorker

PORTRAIT OF A SPY, by Daniel Silva.

The New York Times

Portrait of Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1806.

The New Yorker

This isn't a portrait of grief.

The New Yorker

It is a portrait of a person.

The New York Times

Titled "Portrait of the Artist by Fr.

The New York Times - Arts

It wasn't a portrait of despair.

The New York Times

Color portrait of photographer, Cindy Sherman.

The New Yorker

There's her portrait of Paul Newman.

The New York Times

That portrait of the country is wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "portrait of" when you want to specifically refer to a visual representation of someone or something, whether it's a painting, photograph, or another form of depiction.

Common error

Avoid using "portrait of" when describing abstract ideas or concepts. Opt for alternatives like "representation of" or "depiction of" when the reference isn't a physical likeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "portrait of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It is commonly used to describe a visual representation of a person, object, or concept. Ludwig AI confirms that "portrait of" is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "portrait of" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a visual representation, often in art and media. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While generally neutral in tone, it's most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts. When writing, ensure "portrait of" is used for actual depictions and not abstract concepts. Related phrases include "likeness of" and "depiction of". Remember to reserve it for what can physically be portrayed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

image of

A simple and direct synonym, suitable for many contexts.

likeness of

Replaces "portrait" with a more general term for resemblance.

depiction of

Focuses on the act of representing something, instead of the image itself.

representation of

A more formal way of saying "portrait of", emphasizing the abstract nature of the representation.

sketch of

Specifically refers to a drawing.

painting of

Refers specifically to an image created with paint.

photograph of

Indicates the image is created using photography.

rendering of

Emphasizes the artistic interpretation in the representation.

illustration of

Suggests the image serves to clarify or explain something.

study of

Highlights the exploratory or analytical aspect of the image.

FAQs

How to use "portrait of" in a sentence?

You can use "portrait of" to describe a visual representation, such as "The museum displayed a striking "portrait of" Queen Elizabeth."

What can I say instead of "portrait of"?

You can use alternatives like "likeness of", "depiction of", or "representation of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "portrait of" or "portrayal of"?

Both "portrait of" and "portrayal of" are correct, but "portrait of" typically refers to a visual image, while "portrayal of" can also describe a non-visual representation.

What's the difference between "portrait of" and "picture of"?

"Portrait of" usually implies a more formal or artistic representation, often focusing on a specific individual, while "picture of" is a more general term for any visual image.