X-radiograph(s) of "Martyrdom of St. Lawrence" 

Curator: The artwork before us is an X-radiograph of "Martyrdom of St. Lawrence," originally painted by Girolamo da Santacroce. Editor: It has a ghostly quality, doesn't it? Stark contrasts emphasize forms, almost like a photographic negative. The composition feels classical, yet unsettling. Curator: Indeed. This process, X-radiography, allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing the artist's underdrawings and painting techniques. It’s about the labor embedded within. Editor: Fascinating. Notice the implied lines and how they guide our eye. It’s as though the artist anticipated our gaze through intentional structure. Curator: And think of the social context. This technique would have been available to few, granting unique insight into artistic production. Editor: A peek behind the curtain, then. I am now more aware of the layered intricacies of the painting. Curator: Absolutely. This radiograph reframes our understanding of both process and the original artwork.