X-radiograph(s) of "Old Man with a Beard" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Old Man with a Beard," by Peter Paul Rubens, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It has an ethereal quality. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, this x-ray offers an intriguing look beneath the surface, literally! It reveals the artist's process, the layers of paint, and perhaps even underdrawings. Think about what this means for our understanding of artistic creation, and how institutions use technology to unveil these hidden aspects. Editor: So, it’s more than just seeing the final product. It's about the journey of its creation? Curator: Exactly! And how museums shape that journey for the public. What does this reveal about the evolving role of museums in art interpretation and preservation? Editor: I hadn't considered the institution's influence in that way. Very interesting.