She may be the most painted woman in history, almost always portrayed as subservient, pure, chaste – and never actually giving birth. Thank goodness female artists like Paula Rego and Esther Strauss provided a reality check

How much do you know about the Virgin Mary? Go to any Catholic country, church, institution or European museum, and her image is inescapable – as the idealised, obeisant, chaste, beautiful woman. With her hands clasped together, or in the Madonna and Child pose, as queen of the heavens, or humbly sitting in nature, she is portrayed in blue, symbolising purity, full of piety in her wilfully subservient role.

The Virgin Mary is perhaps the most famous and best documented “female figure” on the planet. But she is also shrouded in mystery and beset by contradictions: both human and divine, queen and servant, a mother and a virgin. Could we trace this to her story – or her lack of story – considering that, despite her ubiquitous presence, her appearance is so brief, and her voice so silent, in the Bible?