X-radiograph(s) of "Self-Portrait (female portrait underneath)" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Self-Portrait (female portrait underneath)" by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by its ghostly quality. The radiographic process has rendered the image almost ethereal. Curator: Indeed. This work gives us insight into the artist's process, revealing a hidden female portrait beneath the surface. It prompts consideration of artistic re-use and gendered power dynamics in art history. Editor: The composition, even through the X-ray, retains Rembrandt's mastery of light and shadow. Notice how the angles of the head and shoulders create a subtle tension. Curator: It also raises questions about the identities of the sitters. Was the female portrait deemed unsatisfactory, or was the canvas simply repurposed out of necessity? Considering the social position of women artists at the time, this act of covering up carries a unique weight. Editor: Looking at the brushstrokes, visible even in this form, is fascinating. Curator: Contemplating this piece unveils not only Rembrandt's artistic techniques but also socio-economic facets of the 17th century art world. Editor: It's incredible how this almost abstract image can reveal so much about the artist's process and the hidden layers of art history.