X-radiograph(s) of "Christ and the Magdalen" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Christ and the Magdalen," after Willem Drost, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s fascinating to see the painting stripped bare. The image feels ghostly, like a hidden truth revealed. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows us to examine the artist's process, revealing underdrawings, pentimenti, and the overall structure beneath the visible surface. Editor: The composition seems to be built up in layers of lead white, implying a carefully planned iconography that reinforces themes of redemption and faith. You can almost feel the weight of history. Curator: The layers do speak to a rich history, and to the layers of meaning embedded in depictions of these religious figures. Editor: Seeing this hidden view certainly deepens my appreciation for the original. Curator: It prompts us to reconsider the art world and how images function in the grand scheme of things.