X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Woman" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Woman" by Frans Hals, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's not the painting itself, but rather an image of its internal structure, revealed through X-ray technology. Editor: Oddly haunting. The ghostly grid juxtaposed with the ornate frame creates a strange tension. Where the portrait should be, there is an emptiness. Curator: Indeed, the grid reveals the wood panel construction; understanding how Hals and his workshop procured and prepared materials speaks volumes about artistic practice in the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: But within that void, there are ghostly shapes; lingering traces of the woman's portrait, perhaps? Are these clues to her identity, her social standing through details in clothing? Curator: The image suggests Hals repurposed the wooden support, indicating resourcefulness. We see where paint was applied and modified—or perhaps even an earlier composition beneath. Editor: An interesting insight! This perspective allows us to explore ideas around material reuse and the evolving symbolism within this particular portrait through new vision. Curator: It offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden history and material realities of painting. Editor: A powerful reminder that even what's unseen shapes how we understand art.