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

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man," originally painted by Ferdinand Bol. What strikes you first? Editor: Ghostly and skeletal. The underpainting seems assertive, an act of revealing the hidden layers. Curator: Indeed. X-radiography allows us to see through the surface, revealing the artist's process but also revealing how it has been treated and conserved over time. Think about the cultural significance we attribute to preserving likeness. Editor: The face is quite distinct, considering. I wonder, what symbols or societal pressures informed Bol's choices in depicting this man? What narratives do we impose through our gaze? Curator: It challenges our assumptions, revealing the complexity of art and its enduring ability to spark dialogue. Editor: A compelling look beyond the surface, both literally and metaphorically.