It may remove some of the mystery but I do believe it's a useful and interesting tool to see how a painting is built up, layer upon layer.  This is how an artist would ensure the work's conservation / preservation / longevity, by being taught how to apply the paint correctly in the first place.  

My mentor Douglas Druce, taught me how to approach this iconic painting.  So here I share the various stages of its production, with a gracious salute to my teacher.