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

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man" by an anonymous artist. It's an eerie look beneath the surface. What hidden stories do you think these ghostly images reveal? Curator: The X-radiograph strips away the artist's hand, revealing the symbolic skeleton beneath. Notice the density around the eyes – traditionally, the eyes are windows to the soul. What does it suggest to see them highlighted in this way? Editor: Perhaps it's about seeing beyond appearances, searching for a deeper truth? Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to consider how portraits function, not just as likenesses, but as carefully constructed narratives about identity and status, laid bare by the science. Editor: I never thought about it that way! It's like archaeology of an image. Curator: Precisely. It makes you wonder what other layers of meaning lie dormant beneath the surface of other artworks.