X-radiograph(s) of "Presentation in the Temple" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of “Presentation in the Temple,” originally by Andrea Mantegna. The film itself measures 14 x 17. Editor: It’s fascinating and eerie. The skeletal quality of the X-ray gives it a ghostly presence, stripping away color and surface to reveal the underlying structure. Curator: Precisely. X-radiography allows us to explore the materiality of the artwork. We can examine the layers of paint, the type of ground preparation used, and even the artist's working methods. Editor: Seeing it this way, we’re not just considering the final image, but also the labor, the process, and the very physical act of creation. It reframes the artwork, almost democratizing it. Curator: The radiographic image reveals the historical forces at play, exposing restorations, pentimenti, and the choices that shaped the artwork's existence. Editor: It makes one consider the museum's role in preserving and presenting these objects, and how images like this help in their study. Curator: Indeed, a glimpse beneath the surface lets us reconsider how we perceive and value art. Editor: A unique perspective, altering our understanding of what we see and what we think we know about art history.