X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child" originally by the School of Dieric Bouts, part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you about it? Editor: It has a ghostly, ethereal quality, like a memory fading. The figures seem shrouded, almost dissolving into the background. Curator: Indeed. The X-ray reveals the underdrawing and layers beneath the surface, offering insight into the artist's process and the evolution of the image. We see the echoes of earlier conceptions. Editor: It’s fascinating to see beneath the painted surface, to glimpse the hidden layers of meaning and creation. It makes you think about how images are constructed, both physically and ideologically. Curator: It is a unique lens into not only the physical creation of the piece, but also the cultural understanding of religious icons, specifically the Madonna and Child, through different eras. Editor: Yes, it almost democratizes the image by revealing its skeletal structure, inviting us to consider its place in the broader visual landscape. Curator: Precisely. It provides a new perspective on a timeless subject. Editor: A spectral reminder of the stories beneath the surface.