X-radiograph(s) of "Cradled Panel" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of a cradled panel, of which the original artist remains unknown. It resides at the Harvard Art Museums. The initial artist is presumed to be Jean-Antoine Watteau. Editor: It has a stark, almost ghostly feel. The grid pattern is quite prominent, creating a sense of order imposed upon the natural grain of the wood. Curator: Indeed. Cradling was often used to stabilize panels, addressing issues of warping. This X-ray reveals the history of interventions, a material dialogue reflecting concerns for preservation. Editor: Absolutely, and the image itself becomes a document of that dialogue, speaking to the values placed on older works and the techniques employed to maintain them within institutional settings. Curator: Seeing this, I'm reminded of the labor involved in preserving cultural heritage. The act of cradling, like the act of imaging, reveals the interconnectedness of art, history, and intervention. Editor: A fascinating view—quite literally—into the support structures that enable a work's continued presence. Curator: Indeed, a hidden history made visible.