X-radiograph(s) of "Old Woman Praying (Girl underneath)" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Old Woman Praying (Girl underneath)" by Nicolaes Maes, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. The film itself measures 14 by 17 inches. Editor: There's a ghostly quality to it, almost like a double exposure. The stark contrast creates a strange intimacy. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing hidden layers and the artist's process. Editor: It makes you consider the scarcity of materials at the time. Canvas wasn't something to be wasted, was it? Curator: Precisely. This technique unveils the material history and the economic considerations that shaped the artwork. It also subtly shifts our perception of the final image. Editor: Knowing about the "Girl underneath" imbues the "Old Woman Praying" with another dimension of meaning. A beautiful palimpsest of art history. Curator: It's a fascinating case study, revealing the inherent material transformations beneath the surface. Editor: And that transformation speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing this insight.