X-radiograph(s) of "Annunciation" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Annunciation," by Rogier van der Weyden. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What can we learn about the artist's process from this image? Curator: We gain insight into the material construction of the painting. The X-ray reveals the wood panel support, the joints, and perhaps even the underdrawing. Consider the labor involved in preparing these materials, the economic value placed on them, and how that influenced the final artwork. Editor: It’s like seeing the artist’s hidden decisions about materials and structure. Curator: Exactly! It shifts our focus from solely aesthetic appreciation to the physical reality of art production and the unseen labor behind it. What does this reveal about our consumption of art? Editor: It makes me rethink how I value art; seeing the physical making changes everything. Curator: Precisely. We've moved beyond the surface to consider the socio-economic context embedded within the artwork's very structure.