X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" Possibly 1 - 96

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child" by Dieric Bouts, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the inner structure revealed. What layers of meaning do you find in this unusual view? Curator: The X-radiograph unveils a hidden dimension. Think of the veil: in iconography, it’s not just fabric, but a symbol of purity, of divine mystery. Seeing its density here, we understand its protective weight, literally and figuratively, over the Christ Child. Editor: So, the X-ray highlights the symbolic importance through its physical representation? Curator: Precisely! The process, in a way, mirrors the layers of belief and reverence built around this image over centuries. It allows us to connect with the work on a deeper level. Editor: That's a powerful way to look at it; it’s like the artwork’s hidden story, revealed.