X-radiograph(s) of "Nymph" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Nymph, after Lucas Cranach the Younger. What do you make of it? Editor: It's a rather ghostly image. The nymph herself appears almost translucent against the darker background. Curator: This radiograph allows us to see beneath the surface, literally. It reveals the underpainting, the materials used, and the artist's process of creation. Think about the layers of labor involved. Editor: And how the image of the nymph circulated. Cranach's workshop created many versions. This radiographic image, in itself, is a modern intervention--how does it alter our perception of the work and its history? Curator: It certainly disrupts the traditional viewing experience. It offers a unique insight into the materiality of art production. Editor: Indeed, it provides a perspective on the painting beyond just its aesthetic qualities, shifting focus onto its social and cultural life. Curator: A fascinating convergence of art, science, and history. Editor: It certainly makes you consider the image's journey through time.