X-radiograph(s) of "Proserpine" 

Curator: We’re looking at an X-radiograph of "Proserpine," attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like seeing a ghost, a skeletal presence beneath the surface. What hidden labors went into creating this initial artwork? Curator: Indeed. The X-ray reveals the underpainting, the artist's initial intentions. Considering the legend of Proserpine, abducted and forced into the underworld, this layering hints at hidden traumas and power dynamics. Editor: Right, it speaks to process. You see the physical application of paint, the skeletal structure upon which Rembrandt constructed his narrative. It underscores the materiality of storytelling itself. Curator: Exactly! This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about interrogating the power structures inherent in the artistic process and the narratives they perpetuate. Editor: Seeing the bone structure beneath the beautiful exterior makes me question who the artwork's labour serves and what role those people play in history. Curator: It reminds us that the story of art is always more complex than what meets the eye, a constant negotiation between visibility and erasure. Editor: Precisely, offering a unique perspective on the unseen hands and materials.