Context: In paintings, Mary is traditionally portrayed in blue. This tradition can trace its origin to the Byzantine Empire, from c.500 AD, where blue was "the colour of an empress". A more practical explanation for the use of this colour is that in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the blue pigment was derived from the rock lapis lazuli, a stone imported from Afghanistan of greater value than gold. Beyond a painter's retainer, patrons were expected to purchase any gold or lapis lazuli to be used in the painting. Hence, it was an expression of devotion and glorification to swathe the Virgin in gowns of blue.

Question: Which color is traditionally used to portray Mary in paintings?
Answer: blue

Question: What rock was used as the source of blue pigment in paints in Medieval and Renaissance Europe?
Answer: lapis lazuli

Question: From which country was lapis lazuli imported?
Answer: Afghanistan

Question: Lapis lazuli was thought to be more valuable than which precious metal?
Answer: gold

Question: Which ancient empire is thought to have started the tradition of portraying Mary in paintings using the color blue?
Answer: Byzantine Empire

Question: What color does Mary like to paint with?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What year did Mary visit the Byzantine Empire?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is the name of Mary's favorite stone?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What country were the travelers from that brought Mary the lapis lazuli?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What did Mary use to trade for the lapis lazuli?
Answer: Unanswerable