X-radiograph(s) of "Granducal Madonna" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of the "Granducal Madonna" by Raphael. It is quite ghostly. What can we learn from seeing beneath the surface of this Renaissance masterpiece? Curator: This image offers a unique perspective on power dynamics. Raphael's Madonna is often interpreted as an idealization of feminine purity and motherhood, but the underpainting reveals the social construction of these ideals. Editor: How so? Curator: Think about the layers of control and expectation placed on women, even in religious contexts. The radiograph hints at the artist's process of shaping and refining this ideal, revealing the societal pressures that informed the image we now see. Editor: That makes me consider what is invisible. Curator: Exactly. It challenges the notion of a singular, fixed truth. Editor: I hadn't considered the social context of the layers beneath. Thanks! Curator: Of course! It is an invitation to dig deeper into art's role in shaping our understanding of gender and identity.