X-radiograph(s) of "St. John" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "St. John" after Ercole de' Roberti. It's fascinating to see the inner layers of the painting revealed like this. What can this type of image tell us about the original artwork? Curator: X-radiographs offer a unique lens to examine power dynamics embedded within artistic creation. Consider the violence inherent in dissection, even of an artwork. Does exposing the unseen layers challenge the artist's original intent? The male gaze is also present. Editor: I see what you mean. So, is this X-ray more than just a technical analysis? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to question the ethics of art conservation and the intersection of science, art, and representation. It prompts a crucial dialogue about who gets to interpret and control the narrative surrounding historical artworks. Editor: That's a really interesting way of seeing this. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly. It changes how we relate to both art and the past.