X-radiograph(s) of "The Betrayal of Christ " and "The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes" Possibly 5 - 6

Curator: We're looking at an X-radiograph featuring details from two paintings, "The Betrayal of Christ" and "The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes," both by an anonymous artist. Editor: The image is quite striking, almost ghostly. The figures seem to emerge from the depths, their forms barely visible. It's a fascinating glimpse beneath the surface of the work. Curator: Absolutely. Using X-radiography gives us insight into the artist's process—the materials used, the underdrawings, and the layers of paint that make up the final composition. It challenges the notion of a singular artistic creation. Editor: It’s fascinating how this technological view exposes choices and perhaps revisions reflecting the historical, religious, and cultural narratives of the time, and even prompts consideration of whose stories were deemed worthy of representation. Curator: Indeed. Examining the materiality through this lens allows us to consider the social and economic factors that influenced artistic production. What materials were available, who controlled them, and how did that impact the artwork's creation? Editor: Seeing art deconstructed like this makes me ponder the many layers of meaning and context that we bring to our viewing of it, and how those change with time.