The act of representing or describing someone or something in a particular way, especially in art, literature, or performance.
From Old French 'portraire' meaning 'to draw forth,' from Latin 'protrahere' (pro- 'forth' + trahere 'to draw'). Originally referred specifically to drawing or painting, then expanded to any form of representation.
The word literally means 'to draw forth,' suggesting that all portrayal - whether in paint, words, or acting - is about extracting and revealing the essential nature of the subject rather than simply copying its surface appearance.
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