X-radiograph(s) of "Waterfall" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Jacob van Ruisdael's "Waterfall". The radiographic process almost transforms the painting into a woven textile. What can we learn about the making of this painting through this lens? Curator: The x-radiograph reveals the materiality beneath the surface, the physical labor embedded in the artmaking. How does the use of radiography affect our perception of value, shifting focus from the artist's hand to the underlying process and composition? Editor: That's a great point. It's usually unseen. Curator: Exactly, think about the social context too. What does it mean to expose the bones, so to speak, of a landscape painting, originally intended for elite consumption, using a technology often associated with medical examination? Editor: It really makes you rethink the entire process, from the canvas up! Curator: Indeed. It exposes the labor and materials in a new light.