X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Man" Possibly 1 - 71

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man," originally by Jan Lievens, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Striking! The skeletal starkness against the soft textures creates an almost ghostly visage. The materiality is compelling. Curator: Indeed. The radiographic perspective reveals the underpainting, exposing the artist's process and the structural elements beneath the surface. Editor: Beyond that, it almost serves as a "memento mori," a reminder of mortality. The x-ray unveils what lies beneath the surface, a symbol of time and decay. Curator: Perhaps. Yet, it also reveals the enduring presence of the artist's hand, the enduring quality of the structure of the painting. Editor: A compelling point. It shows how symbols persist while forms change. What a fascinating intersection of science and art!