X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of an Old Man" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of an Old Man," attributed to Jan Lievens, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The image is, shall we say, unusual, given the technology behind it. Editor: Unusual is right. It's haunting! The ghostly head emerges from what looks like raw wood grain. The lack of sharp lines makes it feel ephemeral. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography offers a unique view, revealing the artist's process and the material density of the artwork beneath the visible layers of paint. Consider the social implication; this technology offered insights previously unavailable to the public. Editor: Fascinating how it inverts our expectations. We’re used to seeing portraits rendered with meticulous detail, yet here, it's as if the essence of the man is laid bare, revealing structure more than surface. Curator: Exactly. It challenges the traditional role of portraiture, focusing not on likeness but on underlying form, reflecting the scientific spirit burgeoning at the time. Editor: Well, I find myself more moved by the sheer artistry of extracting form with such limited tonal range. It's a testament to the power of suggestion, wouldn't you say? Curator: Perhaps. Though I'm more interested in how the medium itself reshapes our understanding of art and its relationship to scientific advancement. Editor: Either way, it's a stark reminder that even in the age of scientific progress, the human element remains, subtly imprinted, within the art object.