X-radiograph(s) of "Caritas" Possibly 24 - 75

Curator: Here we see an X-radiograph of "Caritas", after Francesco Salviati, held in the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a peek behind the curtain, revealing hidden layers. Editor: My first impression is ethereal, almost ghostly. The composition is diffuse, like looking at a memory fading away. Curator: Indeed, the symbols usually associated with 'Caritas'—charity, love—are absent. It's a deconstruction, revealing the bones beneath the idealized surface. Editor: It makes me think about the layers of societal expectations placed on women, the unseen supports and structures that enable the performance of "charity." Curator: I find it fascinating how even in its skeletal form, the image retains a certain power. It reminds us that symbols persist, even when obscured. Editor: Yet, by stripping away the traditional iconography, we’re left with a stark reminder of the work, often invisible, required to maintain these ideals. Curator: A potent reminder that even scientific analysis can reveal deeper emotional truths. Editor: Yes, a way to unpack the constructed nature of virtue and its impact on lived realities.