1. A method of displaying a spatial distribution of an X-ray image whose pixels are associated with digital input image values, comprising the following steps: entering a contrast function and a density function desired for the display, processing the input image values in first and second signal channels, summing the image values formed in the signal channels, and applying sum image values thus formed to an output unit for forming a visible image, filtering the input image values in the first signal channel in order to generate low-pass image values or high-pass image values, and performing complementary filtering, or no filtering, in the second signal channel, transforming the image values formed in the second signal channel, or the sum image values, by means of a first transformation function, and transforming the image values formed in the first signal channel by means of a second transformation function, the first and second transformation functions being derived from the density function and contrast function entered in such a manner that, in the image displayed detail contrast is in conformity with the contrast function and brightness, or density, of coarse image structures varies in conformity with the density function.