X-radiograph(s) of "View of a River in Moonlight" 

Curator: We're looking at an X-radiograph of "View of a River in Moonlight," originally by Aert van der Neer, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see what lies beneath the surface. Editor: It's like a ghostly grid. Unexpected. I'm struck by the contrast—this cold, clinical view of something meant to evoke atmosphere and mood. Curator: Exactly! The x-ray allows us to see the wooden panel's construction, how it was pieced together. It highlights the materiality, the support that enables van der Neer's vision. Editor: It certainly does challenge the traditional hierarchy, doesn't it? We rarely consider the labor and craft involved in preparing the support for a painting. Curator: Absolutely. And in this case, it prompts us to think about the socioeconomic context: what materials were available, how artists adapted. Editor: Looking at this, I'm less concerned with moonlight on a river and more interested in wood, glue, and the anonymous labor of the panel maker. It’s a whole different kind of illumination. Curator: Indeed, shifting the perspective changes everything. It’s about how we choose to look, what aspects of art we value and what stories we choose to tell. Editor: A reminder that even masterpieces have humble beginnings, shaped by practical realities.