X-radiograph(s) of "St. Jerome" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "St. Jerome," originally by Jan Adriaensz. van Staveren, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. It provides a look beneath the surface we usually see. Editor: What strikes me first is the almost abstract quality, a web of lines and tones. The monochrome palette and seemingly random marks create a sense of mystery. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography is crucial for understanding a painting's creation and condition, revealing underdrawings, pentimenti, and the structure of the support. It informs conservation efforts. Editor: The lines suggest a wooden panel support. The dark marks, I presume, are areas of denser material, perhaps lead white pigment in the original artwork. Curator: Precisely! It’s a window into the artist's process and material choices, reflecting artistic practices within the socio-economic constraints of the time. Editor: It transforms the artwork into a layered object of study. I see the X-ray as a new form of abstraction. Curator: It certainly provides fresh perspectives, altering our understanding of the artwork's historical journey and material reality. Editor: A fascinating glimpse beyond the surface of artistic intention and cultural context.