X-radiograph(s) of "Male Portrait" 

Editor: This is an x-radiograph of "Male Portrait" by Gaspar de Crayer at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s strange and unsettling to see the inside of a painting like this. What can an x-ray tell us about art? Curator: This image provides an interesting look into the layers of creation and the role of institutions. It highlights the museum's role not just as a display space but as a site of scientific investigation and validation. How does viewing the skeletal structure influence your perception of the portrait and the artist's intent? Editor: It makes me think about the art market's need for authentication. It’s less about the art itself and more about its proven origin. Curator: Precisely. The use of x-rays reveals how the art world relies on scientific validation, which can affect the artwork's value and cultural significance. Editor: I never considered how science and art intersect in such a bureaucratic way. Thanks! Curator: It's a fascinating, if sometimes uneasy, alliance!