X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have an x-radiograph of a painting titled "Madonna and Child," attributed to the School of Piero di Cosimo. Editor: The starkness of this x-ray almost erases the tenderness usually associated with this subject; it’s like stripping away the surface to reveal something hidden. Curator: Indeed, it reveals the underdrawing and paint layers, emphasizing the structure. Notice the composition’s strong vertical axis and the circular forms suggesting the figures. Editor: And consider how this deconstruction speaks to the way power dynamics are historically concealed beneath images of maternal love and religious devotion. Curator: A fascinating perspective. Looking at the density variations, we can analyze the artist's technique and material choices. Editor: It prompts a deeper questioning of the roles and representations perpetuated through idealized depictions of the Madonna throughout art history. Curator: The interplay of light and shadow here provides a great deal to study. Editor: Absolutely, a potent reminder of how images are never neutral, always embedded with meaning.