X-radiograph(s) of "Self-Portrait" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of Rembrandt van Rijn’s "Self-Portrait," part of the collection here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a film, about 14 by 17 inches. Editor: Wow, it looks like a ghost. All these layers and textures, it makes me think about what's hidden beneath the surface, not just in art, but in ourselves. Curator: Exactly. X-radiography allows us to see the underpainting, the artist's process, the choices made and then painted over, and sometimes even previous compositions. It gives us a glimpse into the artistic process. Editor: It's like archaeology of the self. Peeling back the layers of identity that Rembrandt constructed, and maybe even questioning them. I am left wondering, what parts of ourselves do we hide, even from ourselves? Curator: A valid question. Art history allows us to examine artistic practice within social context. Editor: Absolutely, and it shows how vulnerable Rembrandt must have been to present even a glimpse of his raw self. Curator: Yes, and this technology adds a new level to the story of representation and identity. Editor: I find it moving how technology helps us to connect more to the artist, like finally hearing a whisper from the past.