X-radiograph(s) of "Old Woman" 

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums present this work called X-radiograph(s) of "Old Woman" by the artist of the original, Jacob Adriaensz. Backer. Editor: It appears rather ghostly, a skeletal portrait emerging from the depths of the canvas. The texture is stark, almost brutal. Curator: Indeed. Radiography allows us a glimpse beneath the surface, revealing the artist's process and alterations that remain invisible to the naked eye. What narratives might this hidden history tell? Editor: Perhaps this was a study, a practice piece, considering the elderly were often subjects in art that reflected the socio-economic and spiritual values of the time. Curator: It's a compelling thought. What we see here transcends mere representation; it's a record of creation itself, laid bare. Editor: A raw and immediate expression of the unseen, a revelation beneath the surface. Curator: Yes, it invites a certain curiosity of the unseen process.