X-radiograph(s) of "Thomas Hancock" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Thomas Hancock", after John Singleton Copley. It’s fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What can we learn from looking at it this way? Curator: Well, the x-ray gives us insight into Copley’s process. It reveals how artists rework compositions, and the presence of underdrawings, which could be connected to the political climate and patronage during Copley’s time. How might social pressures affect an artist’s decisions? Editor: That’s a great question. It makes me wonder how much an artist’s hand is really their own. Curator: Precisely! Art isn’t created in a vacuum. Understanding the cultural and economic forces helps us see the full picture.