X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Lady" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of the "Portrait of a Lady," a film taken of a painting by Corneille de Lyon. It's quite striking in its abstraction; what formal elements stand out to you? Curator: The grid imposed upon the portrait immediately commands attention. This structure, both obscuring and revealing, creates a compelling tension between surface and depth. Note the tonal variations within each square, further fragmenting the underlying image. Editor: So, the formal structure creates a sort of visual puzzle? Curator: Precisely. The superimposition of the grid invites us to consider the materiality of the artwork itself. Are we examining the portrait or the process of its investigation? The X-ray’s visual language emphasizes the unseen, the hidden layers beneath the surface. Editor: I never considered how the medium of examination impacts our reading of the subject. Curator: Indeed. By isolating the formal qualities, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in representing reality.