X-radiograph(s) of "Two Saints" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Two Saints," after Segna di Bonaventura, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface, almost like an archaeological dig into the painting's history. Editor: Yes, it's eerie, almost skeletal. The ghostly figures evoke a sense of vulnerability and the passage of time. Curator: Exactly. X-radiography reveals the artist's process, the underdrawings, and any alterations made. We can analyze the materials used and compare them to those of the Sienese school in the 14th century, to assess its place in art history. Editor: I'm struck by the way the medium transforms the original religious art. The saints become symbols of fragility, prompting questions about the societal role of art and preservation itself. It makes you wonder about the power dynamics inherent in how we choose to represent and conserve cultural heritage. Curator: It certainly gives us a different perspective. It shifts our understanding from the artwork as an aesthetic object to a physical record of artistic practice and cultural context. Editor: Absolutely. It pushes us to engage with the art beyond the surface, acknowledging its complex layers of history and meaning.