X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child with Angels" 

Curator: This haunting image, an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child with Angels" by Stefano da Zevio, held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a ghostly vision, doesn't it? Editor: It does. I’m immediately struck by its ethereal quality. The radiographic process reveals a hidden dimension, a skeletal structure of the artwork, exposing the construction and materials beneath the surface. Curator: Precisely. By stripping away the color and surface detail, the X-ray invites us to consider the painting's cultural function within the context of early Renaissance devotional imagery. The Madonna, as a symbol of maternal purity and divine grace, has long been a focal point for discussions around gender, power, and representation. Editor: And notice how the radiological view heightens the iconographic weight. The skeletal forms almost reinforce the idea of the Madonna as an archetype, an enduring symbol transcending individual identity. Curator: A powerful reading, indeed. The medium transforms a familiar image into a potent reminder of the layers of meaning embedded within representations of the Madonna. Editor: It offers a new lens to explore the spiritual and emotional power these images held, and continue to hold.