X-radiograph(s) of "Holy Family" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Holy Family" by Joos van Cleve. It's fascinating to see this familiar subject matter rendered so abstractly. What does this kind of imaging reveal to you? Curator: It reveals the artist's process, the literal layers of creation. We see the material reality of the painting—the density of pigments, the wood panel's structure, past interventions. How does this 'behind-the-scenes' view impact our understanding of the finished artwork? Editor: It makes me think about art as a physical object, not just an image. The labor and materials involved become much more apparent. Curator: Exactly. The X-ray unveils the materiality often obscured by the final, aesthetic product, prompting us to consider the social and economic contexts of its making and preservation. Editor: That's a great point, I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks!