X-radiograph(s) of "St. Sebastian" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "St. Sebastian," the original painting attributed to Jacopo del Sellaio, and it is currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. These films measure about 14 by 17 inches. Editor: It's unsettling, isn't it? A ghost of an image, all shadows and suggestion. It feels very medical, as if we are looking at an injury or a concealed truth. Curator: Indeed. Radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing the artist's process, pentimenti, and the very structure of the panel. It's a peek into the past, beyond the finished image. Editor: And in this case, with Saint Sebastian, it's particularly resonant. The saint's story is all about hidden wounds and revealed suffering, isn't it? This image almost becomes a metaphor for the narrative itself. Curator: Precisely. It reveals not only the physical layers of the painting but also the layered symbolism of the saint’s martyrdom. Editor: It certainly gives a new perspective on the artist's intent and the enduring power of the symbol.