X-radiograph(s) of "Blasted Elm" Possibly 7 - 82

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums holds this captivating X-radiograph of "Blasted Elm," based on a work by Jacob van Ruisdael. It appears quite ghostly, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. The stark contrast emphasizes the skeletal structure of the elm, its branches reaching out like spectral arms. The materiality seems almost incidental, highlighting the process of decay. Curator: It reveals more than just the composition; it uncovers the artist's working method. We can trace the layers of paint and the subtle shifts in design. This allows us to understand Ruisdael's labor, the choices he made. Editor: Precisely. The dark tonality evokes a sense of foreboding, yet there's an undeniable beauty in the composition. The way the branches frame the sky, the interplay of light and shadow—it's quite remarkable. Curator: Seeing this image brings a different perspective. We're invited to look beyond the surface and consider the artist's labor and the lifespan of a painting as a material object. Editor: Absolutely. It offers a new lens through which to appreciate Ruisdael's artistic brilliance.