X-radiograph(s) of "St. Yves" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "St. Yves," after a work by Jacques Jordaens, offering us a glimpse beneath the surface of the original painting. Editor: It's like peering into a dreamscape – ghostly figures emerging from the mist. There’s an ethereal quality to the X-ray, a sense of hidden stories waiting to be told. Curator: Absolutely. Radiography allows us to analyze the artist's process, revealing underdrawings, pentimenti, and the layers of creation that might otherwise remain unseen. How does this inform our reading of the painting? Editor: Well, it humanizes the artwork. Seeing the revisions, the artist’s second thoughts… it reminds you that art is a journey, not a perfect, instant creation. Curator: Precisely. And in this case, understanding the historical and societal contexts in which "St. Yves" was created sheds light on representations of justice and advocacy. Editor: It’s a little haunting, but also hopeful, knowing that beneath the surface, there’s always more than meets the eye – in art and in life. Curator: Indeed. This peek beneath the layers encourages us to question not just what we see, but how we see, and what histories shape our perceptions.