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

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Virgin and Child" by the School of Andrea del Verrocchio, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the painting deconstructed like this. What can we learn about the painting’s cultural relevance from this scientific view? Curator: It offers insight into the socio-economic conditions of artistic production. Radiography reveals the materials used: Did the artist use expensive pigments or cheaper alternatives? Also, how does understanding the underpainting inform our understanding of workshop practices at the time? Editor: So, understanding materials helps us understand the art market? Curator: Precisely. Examining the wooden panel's construction reveals insights into trade routes and resource availability, shaping the artwork’s materiality and ultimately its cultural value. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It transforms how I see art history. Curator: Indeed, and it reminds us that art exists within—and is shaped by—a complex web of social and economic forces.