X-radiograph(s) of "Epes Sargent Jr." 

Curator: There’s an ethereal quality to this X-radiograph of John Singleton Copley's portrait "Epes Sargent Jr." Editor: Indeed, it's striking how the skeletal structure of the painting is revealed. The grid-like pattern, perhaps the canvas weave, dominates the composition. Curator: Understanding Sargent's socio-political standing is key. As a merchant and landowner, his position reflected the colonial elite's dependence on enslaved labor and trade exploitation. Editor: The stark contrast between light and shadow accentuates the subject's face, drawing attention to the formal elements of portraiture even within this radiographic view. Curator: The transparency achieved through the radiograph complicates traditional notions of portraiture, hinting at the hidden histories embedded within representations of power. It invites us to consider the layers of meaning we assign to images. Editor: The ghostly depiction serves as a potent reminder that even seemingly solid objects are composed of impermanent forms, a fascinating interplay of visibility and invisibility.