X-radiograph(s) of "Adoration of the King" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Adoration of the King" by Ottaviano Nelli. It looks like a ghostly image. What does this technical view reveal about the painting’s structure? Curator: The radiographic view exposes the artist's process. Notice the underdrawing; it demonstrates a clear structure beneath the surface. The variations in density reveal layering, pentimenti, and the materiality of the pigments themselves. Editor: So it's not just about what we see, but how it was constructed? Curator: Precisely. The formal elements—line, form, and composition—are made richer by understanding the process and intent behind them. It’s a dialogue between the seen and unseen. Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn’t considered it that way before. Curator: Indeed. It allows for a more nuanced understanding of the artwork's formal qualities.