X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child," attributed to Domenico Morone, film size 14 by 17 inches, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The first impression is startling. It appears almost like a ghostly, veiled image, obscured and revealed at once. Curator: The composition itself is intriguing. The stark contrast of light and shadow emphasizes the underlying structure, almost a grid-like armature. Editor: Exactly. The veil evokes a sense of mystery, a hidden narrative. The Madonna and Child, universal symbols of nurturing, are here stripped bare. Curator: Indeed, the radiograph reveals the material reality beneath the visible surface of the painting. It's a study in form and materiality. Editor: It also reminds us that images carry layers of cultural meaning, and those meanings can be reinterpreted through different lenses and technologies. Curator: A fascinating intersection of art and science, revealing unseen dimensions. Editor: Yes, it provokes contemplation on the nature of representation and its ever-evolving interpretation.