X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child (terracotta relief)" 

Curator: This is an x-radiograph of a terracotta relief of the Madonna and Child by Jacopo della Quercia, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating, isn't it, to see the internal structure? What strikes you most about it? Editor: It's so different from what I expected. The stark black and white reveals a hidden vulnerability. How does this x-ray change our understanding of the original sculpture and its message? Curator: It provides a powerful commentary on art, history, and the gaze. It invites us to think about the representation of motherhood and the often unseen labor involved in creation and preservation. The visible repairs and internal construction speak to the physical realities often masked by idealized imagery. Editor: So, it's about acknowledging the real, the hidden, the imperfect? Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to question what we value and what narratives are privileged in art history. It's a potent intersection of art and science, revealing hidden truths. Editor: I never thought about art this way. Thanks for widening my perspective. Curator: It’s a pleasure. Thinking critically about these dynamics lets us see art as part of a larger conversation about power and representation.