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

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Alesso Baldovinetti's "Portrait of a Lady," held at the Harvard Art Museums. The date of the x-radiograph is unknown. Editor: It’s eerie, almost ghostly! You can see through the surface, exposing the skeletal structure underneath. I am struck by the contrast in the light and shadows. Curator: The materials used in the original portrait would interact with the X-rays, revealing details about Baldovinetti’s technique. Think about the labour involved in creating the original work and then later, the labor behind creating this x-radiograph. Editor: Absolutely. And in viewing this image, I think about the history of portraiture and the societal expectations placed on women, especially in how their image is constructed and perceived. It challenges us to look beyond the surface. Curator: Indeed. It's a fascinating way to study the materials and methods of past art production. Editor: It gives us a chance to see how the artwork can transcend time and reveal the intersectionality between its origin and our modern understanding.