a very good representation of a condition or an attitude.
Except for a little arthritis, my mother is the picture of health.He seemed the picture of confidence.
the picture of (something)
The ideal example of something (which is stated after "of"). Yes, Jill was in the hospital a few months ago, but she's the picture of health now. We went running together just the other day.
(very) picture of something
Fig. the perfect example of something; an exact image of something. The young newlyweds were the picture of happiness.My doctor told me that I was the very picture of good health.
a (or the) picture of —
the embodiment of a specified state or emotion.
1989Woman's Realm The…little girl looks a picture of health in her blue dungarees and red boots.