X-radiograph(s) of "Jan de Montfort" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Jan de Montfort," originally created by Anthony van Dyck, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The spectral image shows us an interesting underlayer of the portrait. Editor: It's a ghostly view. The ruff around his neck looks like ribbed bones, and his face is heavily shadowed, like a death mask. Curator: Exactly! The radiograph unveils the physical construction of the painting and, in turn, the artist's hand. We can see the density and application of the paint. Editor: It also highlights the materiality – canvas, pigments, binding agents – and the labor of its making. Curator: Yes, a portrait reflects more than an individual; it embodies the social and economic circumstances of both the artist and the sitter. Editor: It’s a compelling reminder that art, even portraiture, emerges from a very material process. Curator: Indeed, seeing beneath the surface allows us to consider the layers of history embedded within. Editor: Ultimately, a stark reminder of the complex intersection of materials, labor, and representation.