X-radiograph(s) of "Vision of a Saint" 

Editor: So, this is an X-radiograph of "Vision of a Saint," by Giovanni Battista Crespi. It is an X-ray image of a painting – pretty unusual! What can we tell about the materials and process by looking at an X-ray? Curator: The radiograph reveals more than the surface. It exposes the artist's process, the layering of paint, the canvas weave, and even repairs. Think about the socio-economic context: what kind of canvas was available? What pigments were used, and how did their cost affect the work's creation? Editor: That's fascinating. Does the X-ray tell us anything about the labor involved in making the painting? Curator: Absolutely. The density variations might indicate the amount of physical labor. Also, consider that the repairs speak to the painting's lifespan and its value within a system of trade and consumption. Editor: I never thought about an X-ray revealing so much about production. Curator: It's a window into the artist's world and the physical creation of art.