X-radiograph(s) of "Mrs. Samuel Hill" 

Curator: We are looking at an X-radiograph of "Mrs. Samuel Hill" by John Singleton Copley. Editor: The ghostly effect of this radiograph is quite striking. The stark contrast between the light and dark areas creates a unique visual experience. Curator: It does reveal more than just the visible painting, though. Looking at the image this way allows us to analyze the artist's technique and the painting's underlying structure. Editor: Indeed, one can see the brushstrokes and the layering of paint with incredible clarity. The cracks across the surface emphasize the materiality. Curator: It allows us to reconsider Mrs. Hill’s status as a colonial woman, her placement within systems of power, and how this image both reinforces and potentially subverts those systems. Editor: Viewing this work through X-radiography transforms our appreciation of Copley’s artistry and his exploration of form. Curator: The X-radiograph, in the end, offers a complex layering of perspectives.