A technical X-radiograph revealing the internal structure and pigment density of a Renaissance portrait by Hans Baldung Grien.

This image presents an X-radiograph of a portrait attributed to the German Renaissance master Hans Baldung Grien. Unlike traditional fine art prints, this document offers a view into the physical construction of a sixteenth-century panel painting. The X-ray process reveals the internal structure of the work, showing the density of the pigments used by the artist and the underlying support of the wooden panel. The grid-like pattern visible across the composition is a result of the assembly of individual X-ray plates, which were captured in sections to document the entire surface of the original painting. Through this technical lens, one can observe the artist's application of lead-based white pigments, which appear lighter in the image due to their high atomic weight. The darker areas correspond to regions where the paint layer is thinner or composed of materials with lower X-ray absorption, such as organic binders or earth pigments. Such technical documentation is essential for conservators and art historians. It allows for the identification of pentimenti, or changes made by the artist during the painting process, which are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The portrait subject, rendered in the distinct style of the early sixteenth century, remains partially obscured by the technical nature of the medium. This print provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of art history and forensic science. It is a piece for those interested in the material reality of historical objects, offering a glimpse beneath the surface of a Renaissance masterpiece. The stark, monochromatic aesthetic of the X-ray film provides a modern, analytical perspective on the traditional portraiture of the period.