X-radiograph(s) of "The Postman Roulin" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Vincent van Gogh's "The Postman Roulin," taken at the Harvard Art Museums, its dimensions a film size of 14 x 17. The spectral grayscale feels haunting. What's your impression? Editor: Initially, I see layers—literally. Beyond the surface, we can see the materiality of creation, the tangible history of labor embedded in each layer of paint. Curator: Absolutely, and this layering reveals a fascinating narrative. Van Gogh's mental state is a crucial element here. What does this portrait, or x-ray, tell us about his relationship with Roulin? Editor: It reveals a process of revision, of building up a surface through material means, reflecting his own internal struggles—the materiality mirrors the psychological. The labor is visible, almost tactile. Curator: I agree entirely. Seeing this hidden aspect provides so much insight into the subject. Editor: Indeed, considering these unseen layers encourages us to look beyond the final image and think about the artist's hand, the tools and materials that shaped not only the artwork, but also the subject’s legacy.