Was the Virgin Mary a Redhead?

I recently came across a description of the Virgin Mary's appearance in a work titled, The Life, Death and Passion of Our Lord Jesus, by Pedro de Ribadeneira.

Ribadeneira was a Jesuit priest and hagiographer who lived from 1527 to 1611. The version I came across, (linked to above), is an English translation published in 1701.

It describes her as follows:

The Virgin was of a middle stature, though some say she was rather tall, her complexion was somewhat swart, her Hair Reddish and Golden, her Eyes Lively and Quick, the Hairs of the Eye-lids somewhat Red, the Eyebrows arched, Black, and comely: The Nose somewhat long, Vermillion Lips, most sweet in speaking, her Face rather long than round, her Hands and Fingers long, her Countenance Grave and Modest, without enticements of affectation, but simple and humble.

Obviously, 16th/17th century is hardly contemporary, and that's assuming the English translation is true. Though the text does also state..

"The Evangelist St. Luke made some Pictures of her whilst she was living, whereof there is one at this day at Rome, in the Church of Saint Mary Major, in which we may see her Feature and Fashion, and how much she resembled her Son"

I'm guessing this would be the following painting, kept in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. In the image the hair is covered, though the hair of the precocious-looking Jesus does appear brown in shade. The image is said to have been "heavily overpainted" however, and according to Wikipedia, modern experts date the painting anywhere from 5th century to 13th century. So far from a living record - at least within the confines of conventional history

Salus Populi Romani

Nevertheless, it's quite an interesting description, and reminds me of the claim that, in earlier times, French witches would blaspheme the name of the Virgin Mary, by referring to her as "la Rousse" - the redhead.