X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Man" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of a Man" by Joos van Cleve. It’s fascinating to see the painting's internal structure revealed. What cultural information can we glean from this hidden view? Curator: The X-ray unveils more than just the artist’s technique. Consider the subject's clothing and stance. They reflect societal expectations and power dynamics of the time. What emotions are evoked by this glimpse beneath the surface? Editor: There’s a sense of vulnerability, seeing through the layers of paint and persona. Curator: Precisely. It prompts reflection on how portraits, even today, function as constructed representations of identity and status. The symbolic weight of the image shifts. Editor: I hadn't thought about portraits in that way before! It’s like peeling back layers of history and perception.