X-radiograph(s) of "Martin Pepijn" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Martin Pepijn," attributed to Abraham van Diepenbeeck. The checkerboard pattern overlaid on the portrait is quite striking. What are your initial thoughts on the formal composition here? Curator: The grid imposes a rigorous structure, disrupting our immediate perception of the portrait. Consider how this fragmentation affects our understanding of form and contour. Are we drawn to the linear precision of the grid, or do we strive to reconstruct the image beneath? Editor: I see what you mean. The superimposition forces you to look closely at the individual squares and appreciate the tonal variations. Curator: Precisely. It's a deliberate act of defamiliarization, compelling us to analyze the work's underlying structure and the interplay between representation and abstraction. I wonder what this reveals about our understanding of the original work. Editor: It certainly changes how I view portraiture, and the process of seeing itself. Curator: Indeed, the X-radiograph reveals the process of image-making. It is a testament to material structure and analytical scrutiny.