1.depict的基本意思是“表现一个形象”或“栩栩如生地再现”,即“描绘”,指给物体着色或素描某一物体。不仅强调所采用的艺术形式,更强调轮廓鲜明。借用在文学上表示“描写”“描述”,强调外表、形象、色彩等具体细节。
2.depict主要用于绘画,所以其后不能接picture等词。
3.depict只用作及物动词,可接由名词或代词充当的简单宾语,也可接由动名词或as短语充当补足语的复合宾语。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
He depicted a dog.他画了一只狗。
They depicted the thrilling situation to us in great detail.他们给我们详细地描述了那激动人心的场面。
◇ 用于be ～ed 结构
In naturalistic novels such inessential things as a minor character's physiognomy and costume are depicted in minute detail. 在自然主义的小说里,有些不关本质的东西,像一个次要人物的面貌和衣服之类,都描写得很详细。
用作双宾动词
▲S+～+n./pron.+v-ing
The artist depicted him strolling through a garden.画家描绘了他在花园漫步的情景。
用作宾补动词
▲S+～+n./pron.+as n.
They depicted him as a hero.他们把他描绘成英雄。
The fellow depicted the beggar ordinary as a dog.这家伙把那乞丐描述成一只狗。
◇ 用于be ～ed 结构
He was depicted as a traitor.他被描绘成卖国贼。

depict, describe, portray
参见describe条。