X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Man" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of Titian's "Portrait of a Man", currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite ghostly, almost like a hidden world beneath the surface. What can we learn from this image? Curator: This radiograph unveils the painting's material history. The dark marks reveal areas of lead-based pigment, showing us Titian's initial composition. Think about the socio-economic value of lead at the time; who had access to such materials? Editor: So, the availability of materials influenced artistic creation and speaks to the patron's wealth? Curator: Precisely. Also, consider that early studies like this are an act of preservation, adding value to the work, solidifying its place in the art market. Editor: It's fascinating how a seemingly scientific image reveals so much about the painting's journey through time and its cultural relevance. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to question how we define and value art, who gets to decide, and the role of institutions in shaping that narrative.