X-radiograph(s) of "Male Portrait" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Male Portrait," attributed to Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s fascinating – a ghost of an image. The canvas texture is so prominent, almost like a woven grid. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows conservators to peer beneath the surface, revealing the artist's process and any hidden layers. It's a critical tool for understanding the painting's history. Editor: Look at the dark splatters, they're almost abstract against the more regular pattern. Do they show alterations or damage? Curator: Likely both. Conservation often leaves its mark. These details tell a story about the painting's life, its journey through time and various hands. Editor: It's like looking at a negative, a shadow of what once was, and a hint of what might still be. Curator: Precisely. It's a unique perspective on the relationship between art, science, and the public trust.