X-radiograph(s) of "Harbor Scene" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Jan van Goyen's "Harbor Scene," a ghostly glimpse beneath the visible surface. Editor: Whoa, it's like looking at the bones of a painting! A bit eerie, but also unexpectedly beautiful. It gives me shivers. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows us to examine the canvas and paint layers, revealing the artist's process, underdrawings, and any hidden compositions. This technique became popular in the mid-20th century as conservation practices evolved. Editor: It's strange to think that this stark image is all that remains visible when we strip away the colors and the story. You can see the texture of the canvas. It makes me wonder about the hands that created it. Curator: Absolutely. It's a reminder that paintings are not just images, but physical objects with their own histories and material properties. Editor: So, in a way, it's another kind of portrait, not of the harbor scene, but of the painting itself. I find that pretty moving. Curator: I agree, it's a stark reminder that the art we see has often lived multiple lives. Editor: A ghost in the machine!