X-radiograph(s) of "Bust of Corbin de Cordet"

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Augustin Pajou’s "Bust of Corbin de Cordet," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's almost ghostly. You see the internal structure, the bones beneath the facade. It makes me think about what we hide, what's truly beneath the surface. Curator: The x-ray unveils the artist's process, the armature supporting the clay. It's a fascinating example of deconstruction of a classical art form. Editor: Right, you see not just the final form but the making-of, the scaffolding. It gives a sense of vulnerability to this supposedly solid, permanent artwork. As though, underneath, we're all just held together by a fragile framework. Curator: It really highlights the temporal nature of sculpture, the passage of time, and our attempts to understand it. I'm glad we took a look inside today. Editor: Me too. It's a reminder that beauty and strength can also be delicate, and that there is always more to see than meets the eye.