X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Woman beneath that of a Man" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Woman beneath that of a Man," potentially from the school of Frans Pourbus the Elder. Seeing the underpainting revealed like this makes me wonder – what does it tell us about the power dynamics within art and its history? Curator: It raises interesting questions about visibility and erasure. Who decides which images are preserved, and which are painted over? This act of painting over reflects a cultural choice, doesn't it? A preference, perhaps even a suppression. Editor: So, is the hidden portrait a commentary on the roles of women in that era, quite literally concealed? Curator: Precisely! Consider the socio-political climate; might the male portrait have been deemed more valuable or appropriate for display? And what does it mean for us, as viewers, to uncover this hidden narrative? Editor: It's fascinating to consider the painting's biography and how these layers of history inform our understanding of art's role in reflecting and shaping social norms. Curator: Indeed. The hidden portrait becomes a powerful symbol of untold stories.