X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna and Child" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Madonna and Child" from the school of Botticelli. It's fascinating to see this familiar image revealed in such a different way. What does an X-ray tell us about the painting? Curator: It exposes the layers of labor inherent in its creation. We see the underdrawing, the types of pigments used and how they were applied. The material choices were deliberate, reflecting available resources and intended longevity. Editor: So, it’s like a glimpse behind the curtain of artistic production? Curator: Precisely. We see the material history embedded within, the artist's process of layering and revising. It’s a testament to the tangible effort and skilled labor involved in creating what we perceive as a seamless, divine image. Editor: That's a really interesting way to look at it. I never considered the sheer materiality behind Renaissance painting. Curator: Exactly. It reminds us that even the most ethereal images are products of material processes and social contexts.