X-radiograph(s) of "Magdalen" 

Curator: I find it amazing how technology allows us to see beneath the surface; this X-radiograph shows us hidden details from the "Magdalen," a painting attributed to Cornelis van Poelenburch. Editor: My first impression is how abstract it appears. The grid-like structure dominates—almost like a woven textile rather than a painting. It's fascinating. Curator: What you're seeing is the wood panel support. The darker areas indicate denser material, like the wood grain and any areas with thicker paint application, perhaps from earlier restorations? Editor: It makes me think of how we build up layers of meaning, concealing and revealing. The "Magdalen" herself is now almost invisible. What does it say about the layers of interpretation over time, obscuring the original image? Curator: That's a wonderful insight. It reminds us that a work of art is not a static object but is constantly being re-authored through time. The story of its creation, use, and interpretation… Editor: It's like an archeological dig, isn't it? This almost scientific view into the past gives new context to our understanding of this work.