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

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child" by Hugo van der Goes, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The image is a ghostly view beneath the surface. What historical narratives does this radiography reveal? Curator: The X-ray unveils not just the painting's underlayers, but also the social and political contexts shaping its creation and reception. Consider the Madonna and Child as a symbol of power, but what does this obscured view suggest about accessibility and hidden narratives? Editor: Hidden narratives, like the lives of women during that period? Curator: Precisely. How might the act of revealing, through radiography, challenge the established narratives and open space for marginalized voices? It's a prompt to excavate the complex layers of history, identity, and representation. Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at it. I'll definitely remember that. Curator: Remember art history is always a dialogue with the present.