X-radiograph(s) of "Head of Old Man" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph, about 14 by 17 inches, of "Head of Old Man," believed to be from the hand of Jan Adriaensz. van Staveren. Editor: It's like looking into the soul of the painting! The skull beneath the surface...it's a memento mori in grayscale. Curator: Yes, radiography unveils the hidden layers. It lets us study the artist's process, corrections, maybe even earlier compositions. Editor: This reminds me of the traditional Vanitas paintings and their exploration of mortality. The X-ray itself becomes a potent symbol. Curator: It does recontextualize it. We are not just seeing a portrait, but an exploration of time, decay, and memory, captured on film. Editor: I’m left feeling as though I’ve caught a glimpse of something sacred—a visual poem about the passage of time.