X-radiograph(s) of "J. Gridley (false signature)" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of a painting falsely attributed to John Smibert, titled "J. Gridley (false signature)". The image strips away the surface, revealing its hidden structure. Editor: It's ghostly. The stark contrast almost entirely obscures the human element, making it difficult to connect with the portrayed person. Curator: Indeed. The x-ray reveals the painting's material reality and hints at its history. It raises questions about authenticity, labor, and power dynamics in the art world. Who benefits from misattributions, and what narratives are erased in the process? Editor: Perhaps it's the stark representation itself that resonates—an unveiling, making visible the invisible manipulations underlying surface appearances. Curator: Precisely. It's a potent reminder that artworks are not just aesthetic objects, but products of complex social forces. Editor: The symbolism of exposure here is quite potent, transforming portraiture into an almost archeological dig, upending its original representational intent. Curator: Exactly, and considering that, it is nice to see this artwork at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I think it's a striking image that urges us to question what we see and consider the layers beneath.