X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Woman with her Dog" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Woman with her Dog" after Frans Pourbus the Younger, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see a portrait through this lens. What hidden aspects of the artwork does this reveal? Curator: This radiograph unveils the painting’s physical history, showing us how the original portrait was constructed and potentially altered over time. The dog, for example, appears faint. Why do you think the artist might have changed the composition, or materials? Editor: Perhaps societal pressures influenced the artist to downplay the dog's presence. Or maybe it was a restoration choice? Curator: Precisely. Radiography allows us to consider how the public perception and institutional stewardship shaped the artwork we see today. It’s all about the layers of interpretation. Editor: Seeing beyond the surface really changes my perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, art history reveals the social lives of paintings, not just artistic intention.