X-radiograph(s) of "Tobias' Wife with the Goat" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph, approximately 8 by 12 inches, of Rembrandt's "Tobias' Wife with the Goat" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a peek behind the canvas, revealing the artist's process. Editor: Wow, it feels like looking at a ghostly echo, doesn't it? The stark contrast gives it this eerie, almost ethereal vibe. You can barely make out any details. Curator: X-radiography allows us to see the underlayers, revealing how paintings change over time—artists reworking compositions, reusing canvases. The practice of art conservation as a profession gained traction during the early-mid 20th century, explaining the appearance of such analytical images. Editor: It’s like peeking into the artist's mind, seeing the evolution of the work. I wonder what choices Rembrandt wrestled with, what he decided to keep or discard beneath the surface. It speaks to the layers of creativity, and the decisions involved in creating an artwork. Curator: Indeed. The socio-economic conditions impacted artists; the reuse of materials was common and often speaks of times of strife and scarcity. Editor: Makes you wonder about all the hidden stories beneath the art we see.