X-radiograph(s) of "Christ and the Children" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Christ and the Children," originally by Lucas Cranach the Elder. What strikes you first? Editor: It's haunting! Like a ghost of an image. Those wood panels feel almost like prison bars, obscuring the scene. Curator: Indeed. The X-ray reveals the wooden support structure beneath the painting. Think about what this reveals—the unseen scaffolding upon which art, and perhaps belief, is built. Editor: It makes me question authenticity. Are we seeing Cranach's hand, or just the bones of the thing? Does the support matter as much as the surface? Curator: A crucial question! The material underpinnings, usually hidden, are brought to the forefront, prompting us to consider art's physical existence beyond the image. Editor: For me, it blurs the line between art and science, revealing layers of creation and interpretation we don't normally see. It's thought-provoking. Curator: A fitting conclusion. This piece offers a glimpse into the hidden history and tangible structure that underpin our aesthetic experiences.