X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child" by Filippo Mazzola, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing it like this, almost ghost-like, makes me wonder about the original painting. What do you see in this piece, beyond the surface? Curator: The X-ray reveals hidden layers, doesn't it? It's like peering into the cultural memory embedded within the image. "Madonna and Child" is an archetypal image. Have you noticed how the child's gesture, though faint here, echoes depictions of divine wisdom across cultures? Editor: I hadn't thought about that. So, the X-ray shows us not just the materials, but also the deeper symbolic connections? Curator: Precisely. It strips away the surface, revealing the enduring power of these symbols. We see continuity through layers of paint and cultural expression. Editor: That’s fascinating. Looking at it this way really changes my perspective on what an image can hold.