X-radiograph(s) of "Crowning of the Virgin" 

Curator: What an unsettling image! It looks like a ghostly cityscape, or maybe the inside of a broken machine. Editor: Indeed. What we're looking at here is an X-radiograph of "Crowning of the Virgin", a painting attributed to the School of Orcagna, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: School of Orcagna, eh? Well, considering the pervasive role of the Church at that time, the scene probably speaks to the cultural and spiritual significance of crowning rituals and the power structures within. Editor: Precisely. The x-ray reveals the underpainting and the artist's process. It offers a look beneath the surface, almost literally revealing the hidden layers of history and artistic intention. Curator: It's compelling how this mechanical eye unveils the historical and artistic depth. So, in a way, this radiograph becomes a symbol, not just of artistic creation, but also of the revealing power of technology itself. Editor: Absolutely. It really forces us to consider how we shape the narratives of artistic creation and display. I am fascinated by what this teaches us about the history and life of an artwork.