X-radiograph(s) of "Ederly Woman" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of the painting "Elderly Woman," attributed to Jacob Adriaensz. Backer, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Initially, the cracks and imperfections on the radiograph create a sense of age and fragility. It feels almost like a ghostly, ethereal representation. Curator: Absolutely. The X-ray unveils the hidden layers beneath the surface, exposing the artist's process, earlier compositional decisions, and potentially, repairs or alterations done over time. It's a glimpse into the painting's biography. Editor: The underlying structure, seen only through this technological intervention, speaks to the human element as well: vulnerability, the passage of time, and the unseen realities beneath the surface appearances. Curator: Indeed, it challenges the notion of a fixed, singular artwork, revealing its evolution and materiality. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that every image carries within it a history, a story of creation, modification, and preservation.