X-radiograph(s) of "Landscape with Philemon and Baucis (copy ?)" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of what's believed to be a copy of Peter Paul Rubens' "Landscape with Philemon and Baucis," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. At first glance, the x-ray's checkerboard pattern seems odd, but this reveals the artwork’s structure. Editor: The grid is unexpectedly jarring, isn't it? It feels like a deconstruction, stripping away the layers to reveal the bare bones of the creation. Curator: Precisely! These stark divisions expose the process of artistic labor, reminding us of the canvas's materiality and the many hands, perhaps not only Rubens's, involved in its creation and potential replication. It really opens up questions about authorship and artistic production. Editor: It does prompt us to think about layers, both literal and symbolic. Philemon and Baucis, the humble couple rewarded by the gods, often represent hospitality and piety. Does this x-ray unveil or obscure those virtues? Curator: Perhaps it does both. It strips away the romanticism, yes, but it also highlights the foundational elements. The social narrative is then built upon this structure. Editor: Food for thought! This technical view offers a surprisingly human glimpse into the art-making process and the values embedded within the story.