X-radiograph(s) of "Double Portrait" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Double Portrait" by Rembrandt van Rijn, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The image is so unexpected. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This radiograph offers a fascinating glimpse behind the finished artwork. It reveals layers of artistic decision-making, underpainting, and alterations. These x-rays are vital to understanding the artist's process. Editor: So it's like an archaeological dig into a painting? Curator: Precisely. X-rays like this also play a crucial role in conservation, informing how we preserve these cultural artifacts for future generations. What does it make you think about the museum's role? Editor: It is interesting to consider how museums work to share pieces of the past and safeguard them at the same time.