X-radiograph(s) of "Head of a Saint" 1952

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Head of a Saint," attributed to Peter Paul Rubens. The film size is roughly 35 by 25 centimeters. Editor: It has a haunting, ethereal quality, doesn't it? The values seem inverted. Curator: The radiography reveals the painting's layered structure. Consider the composition, how form emerges from tonal relationships. Editor: Saints are often symbols of inner light. The X-ray strips away the surface, revealing the skeletal structure. It’s a potent metaphor for mortality. Curator: Indeed, and the starkness encourages focus on the foundational elements—line, form, and value—apart from the surface details. Editor: It is a powerful reminder of the layers beneath the surface, both literal and figurative. Curator: A unique opportunity to examine the building blocks of an artistic creation. Editor: It transforms a head of a saint into a meditation on faith, and perhaps, doubt.