X-radiograph(s) of "Pieta" 

Curator: At first glance, this X-radiograph of "Pieta," after Carlo Crivelli, presents us with a ghostlike image. What's your immediate response? Editor: Eerily beautiful! It's like peering beneath the surface, revealing hidden structural elements and material choices. Curator: Absolutely. It makes me think about Crivelli's craftsmanship—how he built up the layers, the materials he chose, and the labor involved. X-radiography allows us to challenge traditional definitions of the artwork by revealing its inner workings. Editor: And it raises fascinating questions about authenticity and the social life of objects. How has the "Pieta" been repaired or altered over time? What does this reveal about the art market, its preservation, and its place in broader social narratives? Curator: Indeed. It’s a reminder that artworks are not static but are embedded in layers of material practice and human interaction. Editor: This reminds us to look beyond aesthetics and engage with art as a cultural artifact with a complex, dynamic history.