X-radiograph(s) of "Flight into Egypt" Possibly 26 - 47

Curator: These X-radiograph(s) at the Harvard Art Museums reveal the hidden structure of “Flight into Egypt,” a painting by Sebastiano Ricci. It's fascinating to see the bones of the composition, isn't it? Editor: Totally! It's spooky, almost like looking at a ghost story. All I see is raw emotion: anxiety, tenderness, maybe even fear in the gesture of that protective hand. Curator: The image gains another layer when considering this biblical scene through the lens of migration and displacement. The Holy Family's flight echoes the struggles of refugees throughout history. Editor: Right! And seeing it stripped down like this, it makes you think about the unseen layers of any journey – the fear, the hope, the things they carry with them. Curator: Precisely! We can trace the evolution of the artist’s technique and choices and understand the history of marginalization. Editor: It's wild how peeling back the layers can uncover such raw human stories, isn't it? Curator: A reminder that art, even in its most skeletal form, reflects our shared human experience. Editor: Definitely gives you something to chew on, doesn't it?