X-radiograph(s) of "Miracle of St. Nicholas" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of the "Miracle of St. Nicholas" after Fra Angelico, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the underlayers of the painting revealed. What does the composition tell you? Curator: The stark contrast and monochromatic palette highlight the materiality of the work, stripping away surface aesthetics. The X-ray exposes the underlying structure, revealing the artist's process and the support beneath the paint. Notice how the density of certain areas suggests the application of different materials. Editor: So, it's less about the image itself and more about the process of creation? Curator: Precisely. We are invited to consider the artist’s hand through the lens of scientific analysis, focusing on the inherent qualities of the materials and the composition rather than narrative. Editor: I see, it provides a different lens to analyze art. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to look beyond the surface, revealing the artwork's hidden architecture.