X-radiograph(s) of "Virgin Suckling Child" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Virgin Suckling Child" from the Harvard Art Museums, by an anonymous artist. The ghostly image, revealed through radiography, has a certain abstract quality. What can we decipher about the original artwork through this unique perspective? Curator: Observe how the radiographic technique illuminates the artist's process. We see the density and distribution of the materials, revealing the structural underpinnings of the composition. Note the varying opacities; these areas suggest the build-up of pigment layers, which speak to the artist's method. What do you notice about the composition? Editor: I see a very faint composition and what looks like changes the artist made. This really emphasizes the materiality of art. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. The formal elements of the artwork are revealed in a new light, enabling us to appreciate the artist's manipulation of materials.