BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: There is a new public television one-hour special called PICTURING MARY. It is a beautiful high-definition look at the many ways some of the world's greatest artists -- Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Titian and many others -- have depicted the mother of Jesus in their paintings, sculpture, and other works of art. Actress Jane Seymour narrates:

JANE SEYMOUR (Actress and Narrator, PICTURING MARY): Who is this Mary -- Mother, Virgin, Queen -- who has been honored for almost two millennia?

There are few mentions of the Virgin Mary in the New Testament, but she has been portrayed as much as any woman in history.

In every medium, on a scale from tiny personal images to gigantic mosaics, she has appeared the world over.

Mary's role was destined to exalt her above other women. In words and pictures the story of her life has been told and retold.

JAMES KEACH (Actor, PICTURING MARY): "She is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars."

Ms. SEYMOUR: Freshly painted or centuries old, images of Mary play a highly visible role in world culture. Today, works half-a-millennium old still have the power to draw millions of viewers.