X-radiograph(s) of "Doge Niccolo Marcello" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Titian's "Doge Niccolo Marcello" at the Harvard Art Museums. The ghostly image reveals hidden layers of the painting; it's like a secret portrait. What symbols or hidden meanings do you think this process uncovers? Curator: The X-radiograph, beyond its scientific function, reveals the palimpsest of artistic creation. Each layer carries echoes of intention and revision. Consider the Doge's garments – what do those geometric patterns suggest about his power and status in Renaissance Venice? Editor: They seem very ornate, a clear indication of wealth. Do you think the changes Titian made reflect evolving ideas about the Doge's image? Curator: Precisely! The pentimenti, the artist's changes, hint at a negotiation between the ideal and the real. The Doge's image was a symbol itself, shaping public perception. What story does this hidden history tell about cultural memory? Editor: It’s fascinating to see how art is never truly finished, but rather a layering of ideas and intentions. Curator: Yes, revealing the cultural and psychological depth beneath the surface.