A Young Bride with the Pronuba, from a Roman painting 1772 - 1788

Editor: This is Nathaniel Marchant's, A Young Bride with the Pronuba, a tiny intaglio at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so intimate. What can you tell us about its historical and social context? Curator: Consider the role of women within the Roman Empire. Marriage was a political act, and this piece, though small, speaks volumes about the expectations placed upon young women. The pronuba, the matron, guided the bride towards her societal role. Editor: So, the artwork is about more than just a wedding, it highlights women's limited power, and perhaps the loss of identity in marriage? Curator: Precisely. Marchant’s work offers a glimpse into the patriarchal structure of Roman society, doesn't it? It invites us to reflect on how such structures persist. Editor: I never considered such a small piece could speak to such big ideas. Curator: Art often acts as a mirror reflecting society's values, its inequalities. It's our job to analyze the reflection.