X-radiograph(s) of "Self-Portrait in Helmet" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Rembrandt's "Self-Portrait in a Helmet." It's fascinating to see the painting rendered almost like a ghostly map. What can we learn from this X-ray about Rembrandt's process? Curator: The X-radiograph lets us examine the material reality of Rembrandt’s studio. What kind of pigments did he use, and were they costly? The impasto seems significant; what does its presence or absence say about labor and consumption during this period? Editor: So, it’s less about the image itself and more about the materials that make it up? Curator: Precisely. The X-ray reveals not just an image, but the stratified layers of production, the economics of artistic creation, and the dialogue between artist, material, and patron. Editor: That really changes how I see the painting. Curator: Indeed. Shifting the focus from the artist's genius to the tangible realities of artistic production unlocks a different, compelling story.