X-radiograph(s) of "The Mill" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "The Mill," originally by Rembrandt van Rijn, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The film itself measures 14 by 17 inches. Editor: It's like a ghost of a painting, isn't it? Ethereal, almost. The stark contrasts give it a dramatic, otherworldly feel. Curator: Radiography revolutionized art analysis, revealing underdrawings and pentimenti. This shows Rembrandt's process, his adjustments, the layers of meaning he built. Editor: It's fascinating how the hidden becomes visible. The mill itself, though ghostly, evokes a sense of industriousness, of human interaction with nature. A potent symbol of Dutch identity, perhaps? Curator: Exactly. Mills were vital to the Dutch economy and national pride. This image highlights the cultural importance of these structures in Dutch society during Rembrandt's time. Editor: Seeing it this way, stripped down, makes you contemplate the layers of history and interpretation embedded in the artwork. Curator: Absolutely. It reminds us that art is never static; it is a continuous dialogue across time.