X-radiograph(s) of "St. Catherine" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "St. Catherine," originally attributed to Il Sassoferrato, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Intensely textured, almost spectral. There's a dynamic interplay between light and shadow, obscuring any clear figuration. Curator: The X-radiograph reveals the underpainting and structural elements. We can see the artist's process, the canvas weave, and areas of paint density that define the composition. Editor: It’s compelling how scientific imaging, initially intended for conservation, transforms the artwork into a new aesthetic object. It highlights the materiality of artistic production. Curator: Indeed. The use of such scientific methods prompts questions about authenticity, authorship, and the very nature of seeing, shifting our understanding of the artwork's history. Editor: It encourages me to consider the institutional forces at play here, the museum's role in shaping our experience, and the ever-evolving cultural value we assign to art objects. Curator: Quite, allowing us to appreciate not only the art but also the historical and technical layers that constitute its being. Editor: A fascinating glimpse behind the surface and beyond the immediate visual experience.