X-radiograph(s) of "Dr. Tennent" 

Curator: Looking at this X-radiograph of "Dr. Tennent", it's like glimpsing a secret history embedded within Henry Raeburn's original. Editor: It's quite ghostly, isn't it? An echo barely there, a suggestion of a portrait fading into the ether. What secrets does it hold? Curator: These X-rays are invaluable in museum conservation. They allow us to see the underpainting, the artist's process, and any alterations made over time. Editor: It feels like a conversation across time. Raeburn's hand, now filtered through this strange, scientific gaze, reminding us that art is as much about process as it is about product. A layered history. Curator: Absolutely. This image unveils the hidden structure supporting the portrait we see on the surface, revealing the choices—and maybe even the struggles—of the artist. Editor: In a way, it democratizes art. The hidden becomes visible, the invisible is rendered plain, allowing us all a peek behind the curtain of artistic genius. Curator: Indeed. And it deepens our appreciation, understanding the layers that create an iconic image. Editor: I find that so satisfying. Like reading the artist's mind in a way.