X-radiograph(s) of "Crucifixion" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Crucifixion" by Fra Angelico, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s fascinating to see this familiar image rendered in such a ghostly, revealing way. What can we learn about the construction of the painting from this view? Curator: Well, an X-radiograph allows us to peer beneath the surface and understand the artist's process. Think about the pigments Fra Angelico used, the availability of materials, and the labor involved in creating these panels. This exposes choices made—perhaps revealing underdrawings, alterations, or even the re-use of materials. What does this say about artistic practices at the time? Editor: That's a great point! Seeing the piece in terms of its production really shifts my understanding. I hadn't considered the socio-economic factors influencing the artist's choices like material availability. Curator: Exactly. It compels us to think beyond the surface and understand the art object as a product of its time.