X-radiograph(s) of "Death of the Virgin" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Hugo van der Goes' "Death of the Virgin," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at this ghostly image, I’m struck by how modern technology unveils the hidden layers beneath a classic artwork. What can we learn from this view? Curator: Indeed! X-radiography reveals the artist’s process, much like archaeology unearths layers of civilization. Consider how the image, absent color and surface detail, emphasizes the artist's underdrawing and compositional choices. What do those lines and shapes now communicate about van der Goes’ intentions, stripped bare of their painted facade? Editor: It's like seeing the bones of the artwork. I'm understanding the painting in a totally new way. Curator: Precisely. By analyzing the changes and pentimenti, we gain insight into the artist's evolving vision, linking the historical narrative to his personal, creative journey.