What Lies Beneath is Invisible to the Naked Eye

What lies beneath artwork, such as Gallego’s Raising Lazarus is invisible to the naked eye but thanks to infrared technology, art historians, restorers and now everyday viewers can see what the artist originally had in mind. Part of the creative process can be understood by this discovery.

The technical study was part of a five-year project by the Meadows Museum and the University of Arizona Museum of Art, which has had the altarpiece in its permanent collection since 1957. Since no individual drawings by Gallego survive, the infrared images reveal his skill as a draftsman and his workshop’s contributions. “They never thought that in 500 years technology was going to be able to unveil something that was eternally covered,” Mr. Roglán said. J. D. BIERSDORFER  (New York Times, June 8, 2008)

This was an old story that I ran across in my archives regarding the 15th-century altarpiece from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Ascension in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain. It is worth posting now, as a simple tribute in some way to my fellow sister-in-law in my husband’s family. Cindy and I had the connection of both being married to twin brothers. She passed away suddenly last week and her funeral is this week but details are not known. Words can never do one’s passing justice but finding this artwork reminded me that life is complex and fleeting. Just like this underpainting there are details only known to the artist. Fortunately for us, however, you can click on this link and interactively discover what they are in the painting and then view the finished piece with more insight, more fully understood. There is peace in understanding and fulfillment in the pleasure life brings even in memories long after we are gone.

Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion is so beautiful and moving and seems appropriate here, as performed by Koopman – Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra.