X-radiograph(s) of "Sketch for picture of the Fall of Icare" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of Peter Paul Rubens' "Sketch for picture of the Fall of Icare," at the Harvard Art Museums. It's so ethereal and ghostly! What does an art historian see in this? Curator: Well, this x-ray gives us a glimpse into the artist's process, stripping away the surface to reveal the underlayers. Think about the socio-political climate. Rubens, as a court painter, aimed to project power. Editor: So, the hidden layers reveal more than just process? Curator: Exactly! This "sketch" was not just preparatory. It was an assertion of dominance through artistic skill. It was about crafting a visual narrative for public consumption and power. Editor: Fascinating. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Seeing this under-layer has given me new insight.