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

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man," attributed to Corneille de Lyon. It offers a glimpse beneath the surface of the original painting. Editor: It’s eerie, like a ghost trapped in film, or a figure struggling to emerge. The stark monochrome palette heightens the sense of mystery. Curator: Consider the social implications; the portrait was likely commissioned to project a certain status. This X-ray strips away those projections, revealing a raw, almost vulnerable image. Editor: Absolutely. The composition, even in this form, maintains a formal structure. We still perceive the vestments, the hat, the deliberate pose. Curator: The use of X-ray technology raises interesting questions about visibility and representation. What stories does this reveal about our desire to see beyond the surface? Editor: It’s a fascinating deconstruction—the essence of portraiture reduced to its elemental form. It prompts introspection about what defines an image. Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder that art objects carry multiple histories, both seen and unseen. Editor: I agree. I’m left contemplating this ghostly figure, suspended between worlds.