portraits were considered extremely important in early history because they were _____________ a. a sign of wealth and recognition. b. the only method for recording images of people. c. the only accepted form of art, and therefore the only method for artists to earn an income. d. popularized by rembrandt, who was and is considered the greatest philosopher of the renaissance. please select the best answer from the choices provided a b c d

Portraits were considered extremely important in early history primarily because they were a sign of wealth and recognition. They were often commissioned by wealthy individuals and rulers to showcase their status, power, and social standing

. While portraits were also one of the few methods to visually record a person's appearance before photography, their significance extended beyond mere documentation to symbolize prestige and legacy

. Therefore, the best answer is: a. a sign of wealth and recognition.