X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Man" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man" by Bastiano Mainardi, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What can we learn from this ghostly view? Curator: It’s a glimpse into cultural memory. The X-ray unveils the hidden structure, almost like a collective unconscious of the painting. The subject's identity, obscured by time, echoes our own search for meaning. What symbols emerge for you? Editor: The stark contrast and the grid-like pattern evoke a sense of constraint. Is that intentional? Curator: Perhaps. The grid might symbolize the societal structures that shaped the subject's identity. These underlying patterns reveal how cultural forces are embedded within us all. Editor: I never thought about art in terms of cultural memory. Thanks for sharing this fascinating perspective. Curator: Indeed, visual symbols carry weight. It is an invitation to explore the depths of our shared past.