Final answer:
Portraiture in sculpture began during the Bronze Age in Ancient Egypt, with further developments in the Roman Republican period where realism and individual depiction became prominent. The correct answer to the origin of portraiture in sculpture is d) During the Republican period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of Portraiture in Sculpture
The practice of creating portraits in sculpture dates back to Ancient Egypt during the Bronze Age, specifically from the Protodynastic period around 3,150 BCE. This early period marked a significant development in art with the formation of a pantheon and the creation of early portraits. As the Roman Republic emerged, influenced by Greek and Etruscan art, it came to feature a new technique of portraying individuals with stark realism, known as verism. During the Republican period, portraiture in sculpture developed further, with detailed depictions of individuals from all social classes, as seen in Roman territories, including Egypt.
These Egyptian portraits from the late first century BCE to the early third century CE showcased the skill of Roman painters and sculptors. Notably, during the Classical period of Etruscan art, from 480 to 300 BCE, bronze sculptures also featured richly detailed depictions of individuals. Through these historical evidences, we can conclude that the origins of portraiture in sculpture predate the Renaissance and can be attributed most closely to the Roman Republican period, thereby answering the student's question with option d) During the Republican period.