X-radiograph(s) of "Titus" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Titus," attributed to Barent Fabritius, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The film size is 14 x 17 inches. Editor: My first impression is of a ghostly presence, like a faded memory struggling to resurface, with dark circular strokes dominating the composition. Curator: X-radiography reveals hidden layers, the artist's process beneath the surface. What appears as dark areas likely corresponds to areas of denser pigment, probably lead white. Editor: The dense pigment clusters seem to create a focal point around the head, almost like a halo of lost details. It reminds me that even in decay, stories are embedded in the material. Curator: This technique offers us insight into the original intent, revealing earlier compositional choices—a conversation between the artist and the canvas. Perhaps this "Titus" echoes Rembrandt's son, both physically and emotionally. Editor: Seeing the structure laid bare like this shifts my perception of portraits. It's not just the likeness, but also the labor, the revisions, the history etched onto the surface. Curator: Indeed, the unseen elements carry significant weight. Editor: I appreciate how this disrupts our understanding of traditional portraiture.