X-radiograph(s) of "Mary Magdalen Preaching" 

Editor: This is an x-radiograph of "Mary Magdalen Preaching," by an anonymous artist. It feels so ghostly, peering beneath the surface. What can you tell me about how this image functions within the art world? Curator: This radiographic image serves a vital function within the institutional framework of art history. X-rays allow conservators and historians to examine the underdrawings, pentimenti, and structural components of a painting, revealing the artist's process and possibly uncovering earlier compositions. Editor: So, it's like a behind-the-scenes look? Curator: Precisely. And that insight can inform our understanding of the painting's cultural context. How might knowing about revisions or hidden images change our interpretation of "Mary Magdalen Preaching?" Editor: I never thought about art analysis in that way! It definitely highlights the role of technology in shaping our understanding of historical art. Curator: Indeed, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use and interpretation of these technologies.