The Bleeding Woman touching the hem of Christ's Garment c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an anonymous woodcut print from the Harvard Art Museums, titled "The Bleeding Woman touching the hem of Christ's Garment." Editor: The stark black and white contrasts give it a powerful, almost urgent feel. The bold lines really simplify the scene. Curator: Exactly, the anonymity and the medium speak to its likely dissemination as popular imagery. Consider its potential accessibility and impact on a broad audience. Editor: I'm struck by the woman's posture, so bowed, and the active nature of reaching despite her frailty. It underscores themes of desperation, faith, and perhaps even defiance in a patriarchal structure. Curator: Yes, and the figures around Christ seem almost oblivious. That indifference is telling about social structures and hierarchies. Editor: It also makes me think about the ways marginalized bodies have been historically depicted and how they are given agency or erased. Curator: It's an intriguing example of how religious imagery participates in complex social dialogues. Editor: A poignant reminder that even in simplicity, powerful narratives of gender, power, and faith reside.