X-radiograph(s) of "Martyrdom of a Bishop" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Martyrdom of a Bishop," attributed to Sano di Pietro. It is part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the ghostly geometry within the frame. The stark contrast emphasizes the unseen layers, like a hidden map. Curator: Indeed. Radiography allows us to penetrate the surface and visualize the artist's process, revealing underdrawings, pentimenti, and the artwork's physical structure. Consider how this reveals the history of the art object itself, as it was produced, changed, and conserved. Editor: Absolutely. The composition seems quite planned from the start, based on the x-radiograph. You can see the marks where each panel or section would be. It is interesting to see the materiality, and how it affects the composition. Curator: This process gives voice to the materials, and helps trace the artwork’s identity across time. Editor: Quite so. This glimpse beneath the surface really changes how one understands the final image.