X-radiograph(s) of "Benjamin Hallowell" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Benjamin Hallowell," a portrait by John Singleton Copley. It gives us a glimpse beneath the surface of the artwork. Editor: It's like looking at a ghost. The cracks create this web-like structure over the image, like a shattered mirror reflecting a historical figure. Curator: Indeed. Radiography allows us to examine the materiality of the painting. We can see the density of the paint layers, preparatory sketches perhaps, and evidence of the artist's process. Editor: It's fascinating to consider what the act of revealing unseen layers does to our understanding of portraiture and how the sitter's social status might be implicated in this revelation. Curator: It offers a fresh perspective, almost a scientific lens, through which to examine the construction and subsequent reception of the work. Editor: Exactly. It makes us reflect on both the physical object and its cultural afterlife. Curator: A potent reminder that even the most familiar images contain hidden complexities. Editor: It invites us to consider the role of science in deconstructing notions of wealth and power.