Why was it important for the art to be painted realistically before photography was invented

Before the invention of photography, it was important that art be as realistic as possible in its representations, because the portraits and statues made during those times were the only sources of visual information.

In other words, works of art should faithfully reflect the characteristics of what they represented because they not only fulfilled an artistic but also a documentary purpose, serving as a means of transmitting information.

answer michelangelo; i believe this is correct, plz check first good luck;