X-radiograph(s) of "Christ in House of Simon" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Christ in the House of Simon," after Dieric Bouts, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks almost ghostly. Editor: It certainly does. It’s fascinating to see the painting stripped down to its bare bones, revealing the underlayers of the materials. I imagine a conservator using this to understand its construction. Curator: Precisely. The X-ray provides insight into the artist's process, perhaps even revealing earlier compositional choices. Seeing it helps us understand the painting's history, not just its aesthetic qualities. Editor: It’s a stark reminder that even the most revered artwork is, at its core, a product of labor and materials. And the image itself becomes a document of its own unique journey through time. Curator: A potent intersection of art history and scientific analysis. Editor: Indeed, offering us a glimpse beneath the surface, literally and figuratively.