What was the first portrait ever made?

The first known portrait is often attributed to the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, with the oldest surviving example being the painted limestone relief of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, created around 1345 BCE. However, the earliest true portrait in the sense of depicting an individual with recognizable features is the "Portrait of a Woman" from the 1st century BCE, found in Herculaneum, Italy. This artwork reflects a shift towards more individualized representations in art.