X-radiograph(s) of "Pieta" 

Curator: Here we see an x-radiograph of "Pieta," originally by Giovanni Bellini. The Harvard Art Museums hold this fascinating image. Editor: It's ghostly, like looking at a soul through a veil. I sense profound grief, even in this fragmented view. Curator: Absolutely, the process of creating an x-radiograph reveals the layered construction. We see the skeletal structure of the wood panel, a testament to the physical labor involved in its creation. It underscores the materiality of devotional art. Editor: The Pieta, of course, is laden with religious symbolism: the Virgin Mary cradling the dead Christ. This image reduces the iconic scene to its barest essence, amplifying the themes of mortality and sacrifice. Curator: And highlighting the value we ascribe to these objects! X-rays are now vital to conservation, speaking to the lifecycle of the artwork itself. Editor: It's a powerful convergence of science and art, revealing hidden depths and reminding us of the enduring power of these sorrowful images. Curator: Indeed, a stark reminder of the construction and our relationship to the materials, and how this image reveals the process. Editor: This image reveals a hidden dimension, a potent commentary on death and devotion.