X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of G. Flagg IV" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Portrait of G. Flagg IV," originally by Robert Feke, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's eerie, like looking at a ghost. The stark black lines fragment the image, yet the portrait's structure still persists. Curator: Indeed, the X-ray reveals the artist’s process, the underpainting, the materials used, and even damage accumulated over time. The cracks tell a story of material decay. Editor: The composition is disrupted, yet the formal elements remain. Note how the subject's gaze is still direct, holding your attention despite the damage and the diagnostic nature of the image. Curator: It speaks to the labor involved, not just Feke's original work, but also the scientific processes used for preservation and study of the art object. Editor: I see a haunting beauty, a semiotic disruption that paradoxically reinforces the power of the portrait. Curator: It’s a fascinating intersection of art history and material science, really. Editor: A powerful reminder that even hidden layers contribute to an artwork's meaning.