X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Editor: Here we see an X-radiograph of “Madonna and Child” by Gerard David. It’s interesting to see a painting through a medical lens, so to speak. What does this radiographic view reveal about the artwork and its context? Curator: Well, it shows us more than just the surface. We see the artist’s process, revisions, perhaps even underdrawings. It's also a product of our time, a way for institutions like the Harvard Art Museums to analyze and preserve artworks, shaping how we understand them. How does it change your perception of the painting? Editor: It makes me think about the hidden stories within art, and how technology influences our understanding of art history. Curator: Exactly. It reminds us that art isn't static but constantly reinterpreted through evolving cultural and institutional practices.