Marriage of Hosea and Gomer c. 15th century

Curator: This woodcut, “Marriage of Hosea and Gomer,” is an anonymous work residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark lines almost feel like a stage set, don't they? Editor: Absolutely. It’s a fascinatingly rigid depiction. Given the biblical context, the forced nature of the marriage is palpable, a political theater where Gomer's agency is completely erased. Curator: Yet, there's something so human in their expressions. Almost like a shared understanding of the absurdity of the situation. Editor: Or perhaps resignation? It’s a potent reminder of how scripture has been used to justify patriarchal control. Curator: Indeed. A difficult dance between faith and reality. Editor: It’s a visual text that compels us to question the narratives we inherit.