A portrait is a representation of someone which is a good likeness. In literature, we talk of portrait when a character is long described. This portrait may focus on the character's psychology and/or on his physical appearance. Some works are almost completely portraits for they focus on one character's life. In this regard, biographic works may be considered as portraits.

Portrait is also a genre in painting and drawing. Numerous artists made portraits. At first, the latter were commissioned by noble or royal families. The most famous portrait, Mona Lisa (1503-06) was in fact a commission from Francesco del Giocondo to Leonardo da Vinci. Then, artists began to paint portraits less official, of those that surrounded them or of who they loved. Impressionist artists like Monet or Renoir made some very intimist, human portraits. Later on, at the beginning of the twentieth century, some artists would simplify greatly the features like Matisse or even shatter reality like cubist Picasso.

Meanwhile, photography makes its appearance. Almost everyone has his photo taken, and today, children are still taken in picture from preschool as to keep memories. Artistic photography gave many beautiful portraits as well. Some artists became famous with their celebrities' portrait shots. That is the case for Richard Avedon who took pictures of Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles or President Eisenhower.

Certain artists also made self-portraits. Some famous series of self-portraits are the ones of Van Gogh (Dutch painter), Pablo Picasso or Frida Khalo (Mexican painter).