X-radiograph(s) of "St. Stephen" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of “St. Stephen,” originally painted by Bartolo di Fredi, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial impression is one of ghostly figures suspended in an ethereal, almost chaotic space. The monochromatic palette amplifies the sense of the otherworldly. Curator: Indeed. Radiography reveals layers beneath the surface, offering insights into the artist's process and the evolution of the composition, making visible the symbolic gestures inherent in representations of St. Stephen, a martyr. Editor: The radiographic view completely alters our perception. Traditional art historical analysis focuses on visible surfaces; this shifts our focus to the structural, almost anatomical, makeup of the painting. Curator: Exactly. It speaks to the enduring presence of the past and how cultural memory is layered, like pigment. Editor: Ultimately, this view subverts the aesthetic experience, forcing us to consider the materiality and the hidden narratives within the artwork. Curator: And perhaps to consider that what we see is only ever a partial representation of the story. Editor: A fascinating glimpse beyond the visible.