X-radiograph(s) of "Adoration of the Sheperds" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of Andrea Mantegna’s "Adoration of the Shepherds," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The film itself measures 14 by 17 inches. Editor: My first impression is one of fractured forms. There’s a distinct linear quality, a grid-like structure that both obscures and reveals. Curator: Exactly. The x-ray allows us to see the painting's underlayers, the artist's process, and the wood panel construction. It highlights the history embedded within the work. Editor: And the ghostly figures barely perceptible, the dense core of the panel, it creates a fascinating visual tension. Curator: Indeed, this x-ray invites us to consider how much the socio-political context shaped art production and preservation. Editor: Seeing the layers peeled back like this has transformed my understanding. Curator: It allows a deeper understanding, revealing an alternative perspective.