X-radiograph(s) of "A Family Group" 

Curator: This is an x-radiograph of "A Family Group" by Nicolaes Maes, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s fascinating what this reveals. Editor: It looks like a ghostly shroud, a spectral image of a family. The stark contrast and skeletal quality give it a strangely haunting feel. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, literally. It reveals underdrawings and compositional changes, whispering tales of the artist’s process. Editor: So, this isn't just about seeing what's there, but about peeling back layers of history. How does seeing the bones of the painting change our understanding of its reception? Curator: It shows the labor, the revisions, the hidden decisions that shaped the final piece. It prompts us to consider the role of the artist and the evolution of their vision. It changes how the museum approaches conservation too. Editor: Absolutely. It's a reminder that artworks aren't static objects but records of human actions and choices, laid bare by technology. It is a fascinating intersection of science, art, and history.