X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Boy with Hound" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Boy with Hound" after Paolo Caliari, or Veronese, a film measuring 14 by 17 inches from the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The stark greyscale and grainy texture almost obscure the figure, lending an ethereal, ghostly quality to the subject. It feels less like a portrait and more like a fleeting apparition. Curator: X-radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing the artist's process, the layering of paint, and sometimes even earlier compositions hidden underneath. It serves as a kind of historical excavation. Editor: Yes, and the composition—the boy’s head centered, the subtle tilt—still exerts a power despite the lack of color or precise detail. It's fascinating how the structure remains potent, even in this skeletal representation. Curator: It's a reminder that art history isn't just about aesthetics; it's about understanding the historical context, the techniques, and the story embedded within the object itself. Editor: Indeed, this radiographic view offers a unique perspective on artistic creation, prompting us to re-evaluate our understanding of the visible and the invisible in art.