X-radiograph(s) of "Magdalen" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Magdalen" by an artist from the School of Quentin Metsys. What strikes me is the network of cracks, like a map of age and material stress. What do you make of this image? Curator: The X-radiograph reveals the history of the object through its material degradation. We see the wooden support's inherent instability and how its preparation and handling affected the paint layers. How does this change your perception of the finished artwork? Editor: It makes me think about the labor involved in creating a piece like "Magdalen," not just the artist’s skill, but the unseen work of preparing the panel and the environmental factors that continue to shape it. Curator: Exactly! It shifts the focus from the idealized image to the physical reality of art production and its vulnerability over time, challenging notions of artistic permanence. Editor: I never considered the impact of time on the materials themselves as part of the artwork's story. Curator: These images force us to consider the broader context of material culture and the lifespan of objects beyond their intended purpose.