X-radiograph(s) of "Le Pont" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Le Pont" by Gustave Courbet. It's fascinating to see the under layers and the texture of the canvas itself. What does this reveal about Courbet's process? Curator: This image highlights the materiality of art production. Look at the canvas weave, the density of the paint application. It points to the physical labor involved, challenging romantic notions of artistic genius. How does this perspective change your understanding of the final painting? Editor: It makes me think about the real work involved, rather than just the finished image. Curator: Exactly. It shifts the focus from the artist's hand as a mystical force to the concrete act of making, of applying pigment to a surface. Considering the social context of Courbet's time, what does emphasizing labor contribute to the artwork's meaning? Editor: This really shows the importance of the work and how it was done and crafted.