X-radiograph(s) of "Virgin Adoring Child" 

Curator: Today, we’re examining an X-radiograph of “Virgin Adoring Child,” attributed to Jacopo del Sellaio. Editor: Striking! The ghostly image reveals the painting’s hidden layers, like an archaeological dig through the artist's process. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the dense areas correspond to lead white pigment, revealing underdrawing and compositional changes. The artist's hand is quite evident here. Editor: I'm captivated by the materiality; the wood grain pressing through, the textures of the paint itself. It bridges craft and devotion, almost like a religious relic emerging from the earth. Curator: An apt observation. The radiographic process allows us to appreciate the labor involved in creating this devotional image, and the intrinsic beauty of the artistic method. Editor: Seeing the process makes the sacred feel more human, revealing the devotion inherent in the creation itself. Curator: Precisely, a compelling reminder of art's capacity to transcend time and technique.