X-radiograph(s) of "Adoration" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Adoration" by Sano di Pietro at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What can this x-ray tell us about the work? Curator: It reveals the underpainting, the artist's process, and perhaps even alterations over time. Think about the historical context: religious imagery, often commissioned, reinforced societal power structures. Does this x-ray suggest the artist deviated from the patron's expectations, expressing a subtle form of agency? Editor: That's a powerful idea! I hadn't considered the x-ray as evidence of the artist's agency. Curator: Exactly! Art isn't created in a vacuum. Analyzing the layers, both visible and hidden, helps us understand its complex relationship with culture and power. Editor: This has completely changed how I view art analysis. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, there is always something new to discover.