Tate | Work In Focus: Millais's Ophelia | Conservation & Techniques

X-Radiography (X-Rays)

An X-radiograph is produced on a photographic film by X-rays transmitted through an object. In medical uses X-rays are absorbed by bones. In paintings, heavy metal pigments are opaque and appear light on the X-ray film. The X-radiographs are made by placing an X-ray tube behind or underneath a painting. The photographic film is placed over the painting and the film exposed. A negative is then developed and fixed.

X-radiographs will show obscured paint layers and changes of design that an artist has made. Millais did not re-use this canvas or make any major compositional changes. He carefully planned his work. In the X-ray below on the far left, we can see that the X-rays have been absorbed by the dense metal tacks used to secure the canvas to the stretcher. We can also see staples used to re-attach the canvas to the stretcher after the canvas was taken off for relining.

X-ray of Ophelia
© Tate Photography,
London 2003

The lead white areas of the painting and the canvas weave are clearly visible in the images below as are the re-touchings that appear as black marks.