X-radiograph(s) of "An Old Man" 

Curator: Well, this image is an X-radiograph of a painting called "An Old Man," attributed to Rembrandt, and it's part of the Harvard Art Museums' collection. What catches your eye? Editor: It feels ghostly, almost like a faint memory struggling to surface. The stark contrast amplifies the vulnerability of aging, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Seeing the layers beneath the surface, literally, makes me think about the unseen stories within each of us. Rembrandt was a master of capturing inner life. Editor: Indeed. This image, though, begs questions about authenticity and history. Who was this "old man," and how have power dynamics influenced his portrayal, his legacy? Curator: It's fascinating how an x-ray can reveal hidden details, and at the same time, raise so many questions about art and history. Editor: It reminds us that the stories we tell about art—and about ourselves—are never complete, always mediated. Curator: A potent reminder. Editor: Definitely food for thought.