X-radiograph(s) of "Le Verrou" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Le Verrou," or "The Bolt," after Jean-Honoré Fragonard, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see beneath the surface. Editor: It's like a ghostly echo of the original. I'm struck by the stark contrast and the way the frame seems almost more present than the painting itself. Curator: Exactly! The X-ray reveals the painting's support structure and the materials used in its creation. It’s a document of the labor embedded within this object, far removed from Fragonard's studio. Editor: The visible brushstrokes and composition, revealed in this skeletal form, still suggest Fragonard's intention—a powerful scene, even stripped down to its bare bones. Curator: Indeed. This reveals layers of production, from Fragonard's initial application of paint to the later processes of conservation. Editor: Looking at it this way, it's a poignant reminder of art's vulnerability and its constant state of flux. Curator: Yes, a unique perspective on art as a material object through time. Editor: Absolutely, it offers a fresh appreciation of the artwork's enduring presence.