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

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Widow" by Corneille de Lyon. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What structural elements stand out to you in this work? Curator: The composition, even in this ghostly form, suggests a formal structure. Note the density variations; they intimate the underlying form. The grid pattern imposed by the radiographic process also offers a compelling, albeit unintentional, counterpoint to the artist's original design. Editor: So, the grid is purely a function of the medium, not part of the artist's intent? Curator: Precisely. It is a layer of visual information imposed by the technology. A formalist reading would concentrate on how this new layer interacts with, or even distorts, the original composition, creating a dialogue between artistic intent and scientific examination. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider about how medium shapes perception. Curator: Indeed. It is a visual record and an interpretation.