X-radiograph(s) of "Rhoda Cranston" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Rhoda Cranston," originally created by John Singleton Copley. Editor: It’s fascinating, seeing a portrait stripped down to its skeletal form, the materials laid bare. Curator: Absolutely. The varying densities reveal the artist’s hand, the layers of paint and pigment that construct the image. Editor: I am drawn to the visible underdrawing, suggesting Copley's initial plans for Rhoda's pose and adornments, before his hand altered the materials. Curator: Indeed, you can discern the careful construction of form, the balance between line and tone. This gives insight into Copley's artistic process. Editor: Seeing how the materials were manipulated, the deliberate choices made in the construction of this piece, gives us insight into the craftsmanship of early American portraiture. Curator: A wonderful way to understand the anatomy of a painting, layer by layer. Editor: Precisely, a glimpse into the material past.