Profeet Hosea met zijn vrouw en kinderen 1530 - 1533

This engraving of the Prophet Hosea with his wife and children was created by an anonymous artist. The print’s Latin inscription indicates that Hosea begat children with his wife according to God’s command. In the Old Testament, God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute as a symbolic act. It serves as a metaphor for Israel's infidelity to God. Throughout the book of Hosea, marriage and family become potent symbols of the relationship between God and his people. This print likely emerged from a society deeply invested in religious teachings and moral allegories. As art historians, our task is to explore the cultural and religious contexts that shaped the creation and reception of images like this. By researching the religious beliefs, social structures, and artistic conventions of the time, we can gain a richer understanding of the messages it conveys.