X-radiograph(s) of "Jacob's Blessing" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Rembrandt van Rijn's "Jacob's Blessing," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s not the painting itself, but rather an image created by X-rays penetrating the artwork. Editor: My first impression? It's ghostly, like peering into the soul of a painting. You see the structure, the bones, but also this ethereal quality. Curator: Exactly. X-radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing layers of paint, underdrawings, and changes the artist made. Editor: It’s like art forensics! You see the artist’s process, the hesitations, the evolution of the work. It transforms our understanding, almost demystifying the final image. Curator: And it speaks to the role of technology in art history, offering insights unavailable through traditional methods. Editor: Right, it's a reminder that even something as revered as a Rembrandt is still just layers of material, built up over time, human effort. Curator: Indeed, it adds another dimension to our appreciation, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, it's like magic, peeling back time, in a way.