X-radiograph(s) of "Governor Francis Bernard" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "Governor Francis Bernard," originally by Joseph Blackburn. It's fascinating to see the painting stripped down like this. What insights does focusing on the materials and process offer us? Curator: This X-radiograph foregrounds the materiality of art production. We see the linen support, the distribution of lead white pigment, and the artist's layering of paint. This imaging unveils the labor and the very construction of the portrait, challenging the notion of a seamless, masterful creation. Editor: So, it’s less about the governor and more about…the making of the governor? Curator: Precisely. It shifts our attention to the conditions of artistic production in Blackburn’s time. What does it tell us about resource availability, workshop practices, and the societal value placed on portraiture? Editor: That's such a cool way of thinking about it. Thanks for sharing this perspective! Curator: My pleasure. It highlights how art is not just about representation, but about the tangible realities of its creation.