X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Lady" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Frans Pourbus the Younger’s "Portrait of a Lady," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s eerie, almost spectral. The lace collar and delicate features are visible, but the wood grain and repairs give it an unsettling layered effect. Curator: Yes, these technical images reveal so much about the painting's history. The X-ray unveils hidden aspects, like the artist's technique and the materials beneath the visible surface. Think about the social currency portraits held. Editor: And the X-ray’s starkness strips away the sitter's power, showing us its vulnerability. The grid emphasizes the way images can be deconstructed and analyzed. Curator: Indeed, this image invites us to consider how technology reshapes our understanding of art and cultural artifacts. Editor: Seeing beneath the surface helps us reflect on the layers of meaning embedded in even the most formal portrait.