X-radiograph(s) of "Mass of St. Gregory" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Mass of St. Gregory" by the artist Hans Memling, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like seeing a ghost of a painting. All the layers are revealed. Curator: Exactly. X-radiography allows us to peer beneath the surface, beyond what Memling intended the public to see. Think of the changing social function of the artwork through the ages. Editor: I’m drawn to the materials, really. You can see the density of the paint, the way he built up certain areas, and even the wooden panel underneath. Curator: It really changes our understanding, doesn't it? I'm struck by how this reveals so much about the creative process and what we expect from our institutions. Editor: Absolutely. Seeing the labor laid bare like this, it makes you appreciate the physicality and effort behind even the most "refined" art. Curator: Indeed. A fascinating glimpse into the history of making and displaying art. Editor: A different perspective, and very revealing about artistic practices.