X-radiograph(s) of "Happy Couple (copy)" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of a copy of Jan Steen's "Happy Couple," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the unseen layers. What does this kind of image tell us about the artwork's history? Curator: This radiograph is a powerful symbol, revealing hidden narratives beneath the surface. It prompts questions about authenticity, authorship, and the transmission of cultural values through copies. What emotions does this "unveiling" evoke in you? Editor: A sense of discovery, definitely! Like peering into the past. Curator: Precisely! The X-ray reveals not only the physical underlayers, but also the evolution of artistic ideas and techniques, the journey a piece takes through time. Editor: I see, it's like a visual record of the artwork’s journey. Curator: Exactly. And we, in turn, become part of its ongoing story.