X-radiograph(s) of "Flamma Vestalis" Possibly 23 - 86

Curator: The artwork before us is an X-radiograph of Edward Burne-Jones’s "Flamma Vestalis," located at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a ghostly whisper of a face, shrouded in mystery. The grayscale adds such a strange, ethereal feel. Curator: Indeed, the X-radiograph reveals the underlying structure and material composition, giving us insights into Burne-Jones’s technique and the canvas itself. We're essentially seeing the labor of artmaking unveiled. Editor: It's wild to think about light passing through layers of paint and fabric, revealing secrets locked within the artwork's creation—it speaks volumes without uttering a single word. What secrets did it reveal? Curator: It shows the density of the pigments used, revealing areas of thicker application and possible underdrawings. It links the artist's hand with the material realities of the time, which is a real connection to labor. Editor: The X-radiograph, for me, takes away the color, yet somehow illuminates the soul. It's like a glimpse beyond the veil, beyond what Burne-Jones initially intended us to see, almost like a hidden collaboration across time. Curator: It certainly makes us rethink our relationship with the artwork, doesn’t it? Editor: Absolutely, a haunting reminder that there's always more than meets the eye, and a testament to the ever-evolving story of art.