X-radiograph(s) of "The Stigmatization of Saint Francis" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "The Stigmatization of Saint Francis," attributed to the School of Giotto di Bondone. It's fascinating to see the painting stripped down like this. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a map of labor and materials. The X-ray reveals the underpainting, the artist's process laid bare, exposing the materiality of the work. How does this inform our understanding of its original consumption? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the layers of production like that. Does knowing this change how we should view art from this period? Curator: Absolutely. It challenges the traditional focus on the artist's singular genius, highlighting the collaborative nature and material conditions of its creation. It reveals a network of labor involved in its making. Editor: I see how understanding the materiality shifts the focus. It makes you think about the whole context of its creation, not just the final image. Curator: Exactly. Material analysis like this unveils social histories embedded within the artwork.