X-radiograph(s) of "Annunciation" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Annunciation," originally by Jacopo Palma Giovane, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Ghostly, almost like an apparition. The subtle gradations hint at a hidden narrative beneath the surface, which begs to be revealed. Curator: Indeed. The X-ray allows us to see through the layers of paint and preparatory sketches, unveiling the artist's process and the evolution of the composition. Editor: It really strips away the artifice, doesn't it? Makes you think about how constructed these images, even these supposed divine moments, really are. Curator: Absolutely, and the cross-hatching may evoke traditional art practices, but here, it becomes a record of the choices made, or unmade, by the artist. Editor: It is quite a contrast to the glorious color and narrative of most Annunciation scenes. Curator: This view reminds us that the image itself is also an artifact of cultural and artistic history. Editor: I find it so compelling how this image makes me question the idea of what we see and what we expect to see when viewing something.