X-radiograph(s) of "Madonna, Child and St. John" 

Curator: Here we see an X-radiograph of “Madonna, Child and St. John,” attributed to a follower of Parmigianino. Editor: It’s unsettling, this ghostly image. The grid fights against the figures trying to emerge from within. Curator: Indeed, the layered structure emphasizes the painting's materiality and reveals hidden aspects. We observe the build-up of paint and preparatory layers. Editor: It forces us to consider process, labor, the unseen support structure. What were the studio practices of the time, the availability and cost of materials? Curator: The composition of Madonna, Child, and John, rendered in shades of gray, creates a somber mood. The stark contrast heightens their spiritual presence. Editor: I find it beautiful and strange, a technical view that becomes something evocative of faith, of art making, and also decay. Curator: A compelling intersection of art and science, offering new insights into artistic creation. Editor: A reminder that even seemingly transparent art holds unseen layers of material complexity.