X-radiograph(s) of "Marriage of the Virgin" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Marriage of the Virgin," attributed to Michelino da Besozzo. The film measures 14 x 17 inches and it's held in the Harvard Art Museums. It's haunting, almost ghostly. Editor: It's intriguing how this X-ray reveals layers of creation and perhaps alterations within the context of a marriage scene. What does this reveal about gender roles and expectations of women in this time? Curator: Exactly. We can analyze the pigment composition, brushwork, and the support structure. The materiality provides clues about the artist's workshop and the socio-economic status of the patron commissioning it. Editor: It speaks to the intersections of power and piety, reflecting a visual language used to reinforce social hierarchies. By viewing it through this lens, we confront uncomfortable questions. Curator: Yes. It also reveals the often-invisible labor that underpins artistic creation. Editor: Indeed, understanding the cultural narratives will help us to discuss power, gender, and identity. Curator: Precisely. The analysis of materiality combined with social and historical context gives this art piece new meaning. Editor: I agree. I will go back to this later to reflect more about its importance.