X-radiograph(s) of "Adoration of the Sheperds" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of El Greco’s "Adoration of the Shepherds," at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing it like this, almost like a ghostly underpainting, is fascinating. What can we learn from this process-oriented view of the work? Curator: It reveals the artist's working method, the materiality of the paint, and its application to the canvas. Consider the labor involved in creating such a complex layered image. The X-ray unveils a hidden history of artistic decisions and the construction of the painting itself. What does that say about the value we place on the finished surface versus the process? Editor: It makes you wonder about all the unseen labor and choices behind even the most celebrated artworks. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. Examining the material conditions of art production offers a powerful critique of art history.