X-ray style

The X-ray style is native primarily to the Australian region of Arnhem Land. It is an Aboriginal rock art style estimated to have developed ca. 2000 BCE and is still produced today. It consists of illustrating the silhouette of an animal or human figure along with internal details. Paintings are found in shallow caves, rock shelters, and isolated locations. The artist began by painting a silhouette of the figure, often in white, and then adding the internal details in red or yellow. For red, yellow, and white paints, the artist uses natural ocher pigments mined from mineral deposits, while black is derived from charcoal. Early X-ray images depict the backbone, ribs, and internal organs of humans and animals. Later examples also include features such as muscle masses, body fat, optic nerves, and breast milk in women. Some works created after European contact even show rifles and ships with bullets and cargo inside them.