X-radiograph(s) of "Lady as St. Justina" 

Curator: We are looking at an X-radiograph of "Lady as St. Justina," originally by Bartolomeo Montagna, and now housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like peering into the painting's soul, isn't it? A ghost world of layered intentions, of what's hidden beneath the surface. Curator: Exactly! The X-radiograph reveals the painting's support structure, the underpainting, pentimenti, and any repairs. It shows the physical making of the artwork. Editor: It also prompts questions about the role of technology. Without the machine, what would be hidden? Are we supposed to see everything? What's the value of seeing the art-making process? Curator: These images democratize art historical analysis and bring the materials, supports, and labor of making to the fore. Editor: Yes, it is a strange kind of beauty, a window into how it was built, layer by layer.