X-radiograph(s) of "Pieta" 

Curator: We're looking at an x-radiograph of a “Pieta,” attributed to a follower of Jacopo Bassano the Elder, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s haunting, isn't it? This stark contrast, almost a negative image, emphasizes the raw emotion… the figures seem to almost merge. Curator: The x-ray reveals the artist's process. We see the density of the pigments used and the construction of the piece. It gives us insight into the materials available and the labor involved in creating the original “Pieta.” Editor: The composition is truly dynamic, with the stark juxtaposition of light and dark creating a sense of profound sorrow. Curator: Indeed. And it highlights the cultural and artistic practices of Bassano's followers. We can study the social context of the time through artistic reproduction and workshop production. Editor: This x-ray invites us to contemplate the formal qualities that endure even beyond the surface. Curator: It makes you appreciate the art behind the art. Editor: Absolutely. A fascinating insight.