X-radiograph(s) of "Head of a Monk" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Head of a Monk," after Benozzo Gozzoli, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s eerie, like a ghostly impression. The textures, almost cellular, speak of something hidden beneath the surface. Curator: Precisely. X-radiography allows us to analyze the underdrawings, pigment layers, and construction techniques employed by Gozzoli, revealing the evolution of the artwork. Editor: And thinking about the labor involved – from the artist's hand to the scientific process – it really highlights the layers of production and examination inherent in art history itself. What do you think it communicates about the politics of the image? Curator: The image is powerful as a representation of knowledge production. It speaks to the role of institutions and technological advancement to uncover hidden aspects of canonical artworks. Editor: I never thought the inside of a painting could be so revealing. Curator: It really offers another perspective, literally!