X-radiograph(s) of "Landscape" 

Editor: Here we have the X-radiograph of Jan Wijnants' "Landscape." It's fascinating to see the inner workings of the painting. What can this reveal about the artist's process? Curator: This radiograph unveils the unseen labor and materials used. The density variations show how Wijnants built up layers, revealing his artistic choices and the materiality of paint itself. The canvas weave and tacking edges emphasize the physical construction, challenging the illusionistic landscape we normally see. Editor: So, this image shifts our focus from the image to the labor involved? Curator: Precisely. We're no longer just looking at a landscape, but considering the social and economic context of its creation: the sourcing of materials, the workshop practices, and the consumption of art in 17th-century Netherlands. It's a material record of artistic production. Editor: That's a great perspective. It changes how I view the finished piece. Curator: Indeed. Understanding the material reality redefines our appreciation.