X-radiograph(s) of "Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine with the Virgin and Magdelane" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine with the Virgin and Magdalene," after Raffaellino del Garbo, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's ghostly. All these layers, like uncovering secrets, but without clear definition. Makes you think about what's hidden beneath the surface, both in the painting and in ourselves. Curator: Exactly! X-radiography allows us to see the underdrawing, the artist's process. It reveals changes made during creation, offering a glimpse into the social conventions and artistic practices that governed the work. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how historical context impacts not just the subject, but also the very methods of artmaking and our understanding of the final piece. Curator: Indeed. And the politics of display – who gets to see these hidden layers? How does that affect our appreciation of the artwork itself? Editor: This piece certainly challenges our perceptions. Curator: It does. Editor: Definitely food for thought.