At SIEL 2026 in Rabat, a panel on portraiture brought together writers, artists, and researchers to explore this multifaceted form. Moderated by Saïd Benabdelouahed, the discussion opened with a definition of portraiture as a genre that moves across disciplines, from visual arts to literature, carrying diverse meanings shaped by this intersection.

Novelist Mohamed El Harradi highlighted the importance of literary portraiture, describing it as a genre with a rich and complex history. While the term itself leans toward the image, he noted that literary portraiture goes beyond visual representation, offering deeper narrative and psychological dimensions.

From a visual arts perspective, Aziz Azghay traced the evolution of portraiture from sculpture to painting, emphasizing its link to identity and self-awareness.

Historically associated with power and social status, portraiture served to preserve presence and symbolism. Azghay also referred to the Fayum portraits in Egypt as a key example of early realism and artistic mastery.

Photographer and researcher Jaafar Akil discussed portraiture through photography, stressing its role in affirming individual existence. He explained that photography helped democratize portraiture, making it accessible beyond elite circles.  Despite its many forms, portraiture, according to Pr.Akil , seeks to capture the essence of its subject, shaped by the relationship between the photographer and the subject.