X-radiograph(s) of "The Golden Age" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "The Golden Age" by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. It's quite abstract, and the grid-like structure is unexpected. What does this reveal about the painting and its history? Curator: It unveils the painting's material construction and the labor involved. The grid likely indicates sections of canvas joined together. Consider the socioeconomic context: large canvases were expensive, so joining smaller pieces speaks to resourcefulness and perhaps the intended scale for public display. Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the economic aspect of canvas size. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that art is shaped by material conditions and artistic choices reflecting the society of its time.