Final answer:
Mary asserts herself in artworks through elevated iconography representing her as the Throne of Wisdom, direct engagement with viewers via her gaze and visual symbols such as a dark blue robe and large, Byzantine eyes, and positioning among other holy figures in sacred scenes, all highlighting her divine status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within various depictions of Mary, she asserts herself primarily through iconography that elevates her status and her relationship to the divine. For instance, in images where Mary is shown as the Throne of Wisdom, her body is not just a physical form but a representation of her as the church and a divine throne upon which Christ sits, illustrating her central role in the Christian faith. Similarly, in scenes like the Visitation, Mary's pregnancy alongside Elizabeth's presents her as part of a holy lineage, further asserting her importance.
In other representations, Mary's physical appearance manifested through large, Byzantine eyes and a dark blue robe, typical of Hodegetria icons, captivates the viewer and forcefully draws attention. Her direct gaze in some images invites the viewer to engage with her and, through her, to Christ. The use of color, such as the purple robe to suggest her Heavenly Royalty, or the radiant halos, emphasizes her divine status and her regal nature in the celestial hierarchy.
Further assertion comes from the playful depictions of angels and the 3/4 views contrary to frontal perspectives, suggesting a more intimate and dynamic relationship with the divine. Despite human-like qualities that make Mary and the Christ child approachable, the consistent reinforcement of Mary's divine connections through visual symbols centralizes her importance and demands reverence, thereby asserting her role in the divine narrative.