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

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man," possibly by Velázquez. It reveals the underpainting beneath the surface, and all the craquelure of the canvas. What strikes me is how this image allows us to see the physical history of the artwork itself. What does this radiography reveal to you? Curator: It shows us the material conditions of the painting's creation and its subsequent life as an object. The cracks, the canvas weave, the evidence of the artist's hand – these all point to the labor and materiality involved. Does this alter your perception of Velázquez and his practice? Editor: It definitely grounds the painting in a physical reality. Curator: Exactly! By examining the materials and the processes, we move beyond just admiring the image and start thinking about the work as a product of labor and time.