There are many antonyms for the phrase "were the very picture of," which typically signifies someone or something that perfectly embodies a particular quality or characteristic. Some potential antonyms might include "couldn't be farther from," "the polar opposite of," or "completely lacking in." Depending on the specific context and the qualities being described, other possible antonyms could include "incoherent," "disorganized," "messy," "unruly," "unpredictable," or "unreliable." Ultimately, the antonym of "were the very picture of" will depend on the specific word or phrase being used to describe the opposite quality or attribute.