portrait 30秒了解
- A portrait is an artistic image of a person, typically focusing on the face.
- It can be a painting, photograph, or drawing intended to capture a likeness.
- In technology, 'portrait' refers to a vertical page or screen orientation.
- Metaphorically, it describes a detailed verbal or written account of someone.
A portrait is a sophisticated artistic representation of a person, where the face and its expression are predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. Unlike a casual snapshot, a portrait is usually a composed and intentional work of art, whether it is rendered through painting, drawing, photography, or sculpture. Historically, portraits were the primary way to record the appearance of the wealthy and powerful before the invention of the camera.
- The Sitter
- The individual who is being depicted in the portrait. In professional contexts, they might 'sit' for hours while the artist works.
- The Medium
- Portraits can be oil on canvas, charcoal on paper, digital photography, or even marble. The medium often dictates the 'feel' of the piece.
- Psychological Depth
- A great portrait goes beyond the surface, attempting to capture the 'soul' or the inner character of the subject through subtle cues in expression and lighting.
"The gallery was filled with grand portraits of ancestors, their eyes following me as I walked through the hall."
In modern digital terms, 'portrait' also refers to the orientation of a document or image where the height is greater than the width. This is the opposite of 'landscape' orientation. When you hold your phone vertically to take a photo of a friend, you are likely using portrait mode, which often uses software to blur the background (bokeh effect) to make the subject stand out, mimicking the shallow depth of field found in professional studio portraiture.
"She commissioned a professional portrait for the company's annual report."
The term can also be used metaphorically. A writer might provide a 'portrait of a city' or a 'portrait of an era,' meaning a detailed and evocative description that captures the essence of that place or time. This usage emphasizes the 'character' of the subject rather than just its physical appearance.
"The documentary provides a moving portrait of life in the rural Midwest during the 1930s."
- Self-Portrait
- When an artist creates a likeness of themselves. This is the artistic precursor to the modern 'selfie'.
- Group Portrait
- A depiction of multiple people, such as a family or a corporate board, often arranged to show relationships or hierarchy.
Using the word portrait correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its specific collocations. It is most commonly used with verbs like 'paint,' 'draw,' 'take,' 'commission,' and 'hang.' Because a portrait is a specific type of image, it is often followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the subject.
- Physical Art: "The museum features a stunning 18th-century portrait of a young noblewoman."
- Photography: "We went to the studio to have our family portrait taken."
- Orientation: "Please print this document in portrait, not landscape."
- Metaphorical: "The biography offers a sympathetic portrait of the late president."
When discussing the quality of a portrait, adjectives like 'striking,' 'intimate,' 'flattering,' 'lifelike,' or 'formal' are frequently employed. A 'striking portrait' is one that immediately catches the eye, while an 'intimate portrait' suggests a close, personal look at the subject's private self.
"The artist managed to capture a lifelike portrait that seemed to breathe."
In professional settings, 'portrait' is often used in the context of 'corporate portraits' or 'headshots.' These are standardized portraits used for LinkedIn, company websites, or press releases. Even though they are simple, they are still technically portraits because they focus on the individual's identity and professional persona.
You will encounter the word portrait in several distinct environments. Each context carries a slightly different nuance of the word's meaning.
1. Art Galleries and Museums
This is the most traditional setting. Curators and guides will use the term to describe historical paintings. You might hear: "This gallery is dedicated to the portraits of the Tudor monarchs." Here, the word implies historical significance and artistic mastery.
2. Photography Studios
If you are getting professional photos taken for a wedding, graduation, or for work, the photographer will talk about 'portrait sessions.' They might say, "Let's try a more formal portrait against the gray backdrop." In this context, it refers to the specific service of taking high-quality photos of people.
3. Technology and Computing
When using a computer or a smartphone, 'portrait' is a standard term for screen or paper orientation. You'll see it in print menus: "Select portrait or landscape." Smartphone camera apps also have a 'Portrait Mode' which uses software to create a shallow depth of field.
4. Literature and Journalism
Critics and reviewers often use 'portrait' to describe how a person is characterized in a book or article. "The author paints a devastating portrait of a man lost in his own memories." This is a metaphorical use where words take the place of paint or film.
Even though 'portrait' is a common word, there are several pitfalls to avoid when using it in English.
- Confusing with 'Picture': While every portrait is a picture, not every picture is a portrait. A 'picture' can be of anything—a dog, a car, a mountain. A 'portrait' must be of a person (or sometimes a pet treated like a person).
Wrong: "I took a portrait of the Eiffel Tower." -> Right: "I took a picture of the Eiffel Tower." - Confusing with 'Landscape': In terms of orientation, 'portrait' is vertical (tall), and 'landscape' is horizontal (wide). Beginners often mix these up when printing documents.
Tip: Think of a person standing up (tall = portrait) vs. the horizon of the land (wide = landscape). - Spelling Errors: Be careful not to spell it 'portrate' or 'portrit.' The 'ai' in the second syllable is silent in many accents but essential for correct spelling.
- Misusing 'Self-Portrait': A self-portrait is made by the person in the image. If you take a photo of your friend, it is a portrait of them, not a self-portrait. If you take a photo of yourself, it is a self-portrait (or a selfie).
To enrich your vocabulary, it's helpful to know words that are related to portrait but have slightly different meanings.
- Likeness
- A more old-fashioned or formal word for a portrait that emphasizes how much the image looks like the real person. "The drawing is a remarkable likeness of her father."
- Headshot
- A specific type of modern portrait, usually from the shoulders up, used for professional purposes like acting or business. It is less 'artistic' and more 'functional' than a traditional portrait.
- Caricature
- A portrait that exaggerates certain features (like a big nose or large ears) for comic or satirical effect. It is still a portrait because it represents a specific person.
- Bust
- A sculptural portrait showing only the head, neck, and shoulders. You often see these in museums made of marble or bronze.
- Depiction
- A broader term that means representing something in art or words. A portrait is a depiction of a person.
How Formal Is It?
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难度评级
需要掌握的语法
按水平分级的例句
This is a portrait of my family.
C'est un portrait de ma famille.
Noun: singular.
I like this portrait.
J'aime ce portrait.
Object of the verb 'like'.
Is that a portrait of a king?
Est-ce un portrait d'un roi ?
Question form.
The portrait is on the wall.
Le portrait est sur le mur.
Subject of the sentence.
Draw a portrait of your friend.
Dessine un portrait de ton ami.
Imperative verb 'draw'.
She has a small portrait in her room.
Elle a un petit portrait dans sa chambre.
Adjective 'small' modifies 'portrait'.
This is not a landscape; it is a portrait.
Ce n'est pas un paysage ; c'est un portrait.
Contrast between two nouns.
My phone is in portrait mode.
Mon téléphone est en mode portrait.
Used as a modifier for 'mode'.
The artist is painting a portrait of the mayor.
L'artiste peint un portrait du maire.
Present continuous tense.
We took a family portrait at the park.
Nous avons pris un portrait de famille au parc.
Past simple of 'take'.
He painted a self-portrait last year.
Il a peint un autoportrait l'année dernière.
Compound noun 'self-portrait'.
The museum has many old portraits.
Le musée possède de nombreux portraits anciens.
Plural noun.
Please print the photo in portrait orientation.
Veuillez imprimer la photo en orientation portrait.
Technical usage.
The portrait shows a woman with a blue hat.
Le portrait montre une femme avec un chapeau bleu.
Subject-verb agreement.
I want to buy a frame for this portrait.
Je veux acheter un cadre pour ce portrait.
Infinitive phrase 'to buy'.
Her portrait is very famous.
Son portrait est très célèbre.
Possessive adjective 'her'.
The gallery features a striking portrait of the author.
La galerie présente un portrait saisissant de l'auteur.
Adjective 'striking' adds emphasis.
She sat for her portrait for three hours.
Elle a posé pour son portrait pendant trois heures.
Phrasal verb 'sit for'.
The biography provides a detailed portrait of her early life.
La biographie fournit un portrait détaillé de sa jeunesse.
Metaphorical usage.
The photographer specializes in black and white portraits.
Le photographe se spécialise dans les portraits en noir et blanc.
Verb 'specializes in'.
It is a very flattering portrait of the businessman.
C'est un portrait très flatteur de l'homme d'affaires.
Adjective 'flattering'.
The school took individual portraits of all the students.
L'école a pris des portraits individuels de tous les élèves.
Collective action.
The lighting in the portrait is very dramatic.
L'éclairage du portrait est très dramatique.
Focus on artistic elements.
I prefer portrait orientation for reading documents on my tablet.
Je préfère l'orientation portrait pour lire des documents sur ma tablette.
Comparative preference.
The documentary paints a grim portrait of the housing crisis.
Le documentaire brosse un portrait sombre de la crise du logement.
Metaphorical verb 'paints'.
He commissioned a portrait to commemorate his retirement.
Il a commandé un portrait pour commémorer son départ à la retraite.
Formal verb 'commissioned'.
The artist's self-portraits reveal his changing mental state.
Les autoportraits de l'artiste révèlent l'évolution de son état mental.
Possessive plural.
The portrait captures the subject's essence perfectly.
Le portrait saisit parfaitement l'essence du sujet.
Abstract noun 'essence'.
She has a collection of miniature portraits from the 19th century.
Elle possède une collection de portraits miniatures du XIXe siècle.
Historical adjective 'miniature'.
The official portrait will be hung in the National Gallery.
Le portrait officiel sera accroché à la National Gallery.
Passive voice 'will be hung'.
The film is an intimate portrait of a failing marriage.
Le film est un portrait intime d'un mariage qui bat de l'aile.
Abstract metaphorical use.
The photographer adjusted the lens for a close-up portrait.
Le photographe a ajusté l'objectif pour un portrait en gros plan.
Technical detail.
The exhibition offers a nuanced portrait of the post-war era.
L'exposition propose un portrait nuancé de l'après-guerre.
Adjective 'nuanced'.
The artist utilized chiaroscuro to add depth to the portrait.
L'artiste a utilisé le clair-obscur pour donner de la profondeur au portrait.
Artistic terminology.
The novel's protagonist is a complex portrait of ambition and greed.
Le protagoniste du roman est un portrait complexe d'ambition et de cupidité.
Character analysis.
His latest work is a deconstructed portrait that challenges traditional norms.
Son dernier travail est un portrait déconstruit qui défie les normes traditionnelles.
Art criticism.
The sitter's enigmatic expression makes the portrait unforgettable.
L'expression énigmatique du modèle rend le portrait inoubliable.
Advanced vocabulary 'enigmatic'.
The essay provides a psychological portrait of the criminal mind.
L'essai fournit un portrait psychologique de l'esprit criminel.
Academic context.
The restoration revealed a hidden portrait beneath the top layer of paint.
La restauration a révélé un portrait caché sous la couche supérieure de peinture.
Historical discovery.
The photographer's style is characterized by candid, unposed portraits.
Le style du photographe se caractérise par des portraits francs et non posés.
Passive construction.
The monograph presents an exhaustive portrait of the sculptor's creative process.
La monographie présente un portrait exhaustif du processus créatif du sculpteur.
High-level academic noun 'monograph'.
The portrait serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone age of elegance.
Le portrait sert de rappel poignant d'une époque d'élégance révolue.
Evocative language.
The play is a scathing portrait of political corruption in the capital.
La pièce est un portrait cinglant de la corruption politique dans la capitale.
Strong adjective 'scathing'.
The artist eschewed realism, opting for a more symbolic portrait of the subject.
L'artiste a délaissé le réalisme, optant pour un portrait plus symbolique du sujet.
Advanced verb 'eschewed'.
The interplay of light and shadow in the portrait evokes a sense of melancholy.
Le jeu d'ombre et de lumière dans le portrait évoque un sentiment de mélancolie.
Sophisticated subject-verb structure.
The exhibition explores the evolution of the digital portrait in the age of social media.
L'exposition explore l'évolution du portrait numérique à l'ère des réseaux sociaux.
Modern cultural analysis.
The portrait's provenance has been a subject of intense scholarly debate.
La provenance du portrait a fait l'objet d'un intense débat érudit.
Specialized term 'provenance'.
The filmmaker crafts a kaleidoscopic portrait of the city's diverse inhabitants.
Le cinéaste brosse un portrait kaléidoscopique des divers habitants de la ville.
Metaphorical adjective 'kaleidoscopic'.
近义词
反义词
常见搭配
常用短语
in portrait orientation
a portrait of a lady
paints a vivid portrait
official portrait
studio portrait
candid portrait
group portrait
psychological portrait
miniature portrait
posthumous portrait
容易混淆的词
习语与表达
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容易混淆
句型
如何使用
Usually humans, but can be pets.
Used for detailed descriptions in text.
Portrait is vertical; Landscape is horizontal.
- Using 'portrait' for a picture of a building.
- Spelling it 'portrate'.
- Confusing portrait orientation with landscape.
- Thinking a portrait must be a painting (it can be a photo).
- Using 'portrait' as a verb (the verb is 'portray').
小贴士
Use specific adjectives
Instead of saying 'good portrait,' try 'striking,' 'evocative,' or 'lifelike' to be more descriptive.
Preposition 'Of'
Always use 'of' to show who is in the portrait: 'A portrait of my sister.'
Look at the eyes
In many portraits, the eyes are the most important part. They often seem to follow the viewer.
Printing
Check your print settings! If your document is cut off, you might need to switch from landscape to portrait.
Metaphors
Use 'portrait' to describe a character in your writing to give it more depth.
Art Galleries
When visiting a museum, use the word 'portrait' instead of 'painting' if the subject is a person.
Status
Remember that historically, having a portrait was a sign of great wealth.
Lighting
Good portrait photography often uses 'soft light' to make the person's skin look better.
Selfies
A selfie is technically a digital self-portrait, but 'portrait' sounds more professional.
Contrast
Learn 'portrait' and 'landscape' together as a pair to remember their orientations.
记住它
词源
Middle French
文化背景
Portrait mode on smartphones has popularized professional-looking photography.
Changed portraits from a luxury for the rich to something accessible to everyone.
The era when portraiture became a major art form in Europe.
在生活中练习
真实语境
对话开场白
"Have you ever had a professional portrait taken?"
"Who would you want to paint your portrait?"
"Do you prefer portrait or landscape photos?"
"What is your favorite famous portrait?"
"If you painted a self-portrait, what would you include in the background?"
日记主题
Describe a portrait of someone you love.
Write a verbal portrait of your favorite place.
How do you feel when you look at old family portraits?
If your life was a portrait, what colors would the artist use?
Discuss the difference between a selfie and a portrait.
常见问题
10 个问题A photo is any image captured by a camera. A portrait is a specific type of photo that focuses on a person's face and personality, usually in a posed or artistic way.
Yes, it is often called a 'pet portrait.' It uses the same artistic techniques as a human portrait to capture the animal's character.
It uses software to focus on the person in the foreground and blur the background, making the photo look like it was taken with a professional camera.
Many consider Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa) or Rembrandt to be the most famous portrait painters in history.
It is a portrait that an artist creates of themselves. It is a way for artists to explore their own identity.
Yes, it is a stylized portrait that exaggerates features for humor, but it still represents a specific person.
It means staying still in a specific pose while an artist paints or draws you.
Because most portraits of people are taller than they are wide, so vertical orientation became associated with them.
A portrait that includes more than one person, like a family or a team.
Yes, a sculptural portrait of a head and shoulders is called a bust.
自我测试 180 个问题
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
A portrait is more than just a picture; it is an intentional representation of a person's identity, appearance, and character, whether created through art, photography, or descriptive language.
- A portrait is an artistic image of a person, typically focusing on the face.
- It can be a painting, photograph, or drawing intended to capture a likeness.
- In technology, 'portrait' refers to a vertical page or screen orientation.
- Metaphorically, it describes a detailed verbal or written account of someone.
Use specific adjectives
Instead of saying 'good portrait,' try 'striking,' 'evocative,' or 'lifelike' to be more descriptive.
Preposition 'Of'
Always use 'of' to show who is in the portrait: 'A portrait of my sister.'
Look at the eyes
In many portraits, the eyes are the most important part. They often seem to follow the viewer.
Printing
Check your print settings! If your document is cut off, you might need to switch from landscape to portrait.
例句
I have a small portrait of my grandmother on my desk.
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