X-radiograph(s) of "Odalisque" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Odalisque," attributed to the School of Ingres, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The original date of the work is unknown. Editor: It looks like a ghost! The stark contrast and the ghostly figure make me think about how images can reveal hidden truths. Curator: Indeed. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the underlying structure and the texture of the canvas itself. Consider the semiotic weight of the radiography: the painting’s aura made visible through technological intervention. Editor: I can't help but think about the odalisque as a symbol of orientalist fantasies, often painted by male artists for a male gaze. Seeing the skeletal structure somehow underscores the objectification. Curator: A compelling interpretation. The X-ray exposes not just the materials, but perhaps unveils layers of cultural meaning embedded within the artwork's construction. Editor: It certainly reframes how we perceive the piece, adding another dimension to its already complex history. Curator: Precisely. It allows us to engage with the artwork beyond its surface.