likeness

This term describes a state of resemblance, often focusing on the visual or structural parallels between two entities. It carries a softer, more descriptive tone than similarity, which can feel more technical or analytical. When used to describe people, it frequently evokes a sense of familial or genetic connection. In an artistic context, the word shifts from an abstract quality to a concrete object. It refers specifically to the accuracy of a portrait or sculpture in capturing the subject's true appearance. In this sense, achieving a likeness is the primary goal of realistic representation.