X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Lady" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Lady," originally by Anthony van Dyck, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Ghostly. It reminds me of early photographic experiments, a search for some deeper truth beneath the surface of the subject. Curator: Exactly. Radiography allows us to see beneath the visible layers, revealing the artist's process, the materials used, and sometimes even earlier compositions. Editor: In a way, it's a kind of archeology. What stories do the hidden layers tell us about this woman, or about Van Dyck's approach to portraying her? Does it challenge the image she projects? Curator: It adds a dimension—literally. The x-ray unveils the material construction of the artwork. Revealing the historical forces and techniques that shaped it. Editor: It urges us to consider the cultural biases inherent in portraiture and the power dynamics between the artist, sitter, and viewer. It's fascinating! Curator: Indeed. It reshapes how we engage with it, prompting critical inquiry. Editor: Yes, something to be thoughtful about!