X-radiograph(s) of "Madame de Pompadour" 2-Jan-01

Curator: This is an x-radiograph of "Madame de Pompadour," after François Boucher. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels ghostly, a haunting reminder of what lies beneath the surface. The contrast between light and dark is stark. Curator: Indeed. X-rays reveal hidden layers, the underpainting and canvas structure, exposing the artwork's material memory. Editor: The grid-like texture dominating the composition creates an interesting tension, like a visual representation of time's effect. Curator: Boucher's portrait of Pompadour, a powerful cultural icon, becomes, in this radiography, an almost archaeological artifact. Editor: Seeing it this way offers a unique opportunity to deconstruct the image beyond its surface appeal, down to its very bones. Curator: Absolutely, a poignant reminder that even beauty fades, leaving behind only traces of what once was. Editor: Yes, an echo of the past, forever preserved in this strange, beautiful image.