X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of Mrs. J.H. Brae" Possibly 1 - 71

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of the "Portrait of Mrs. J.H. Brae" by William Lewis, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Striking, isn’t it? Editor: The stark monochrome immediately gives it a ghostly feel, a veiled glimpse beneath the surface. Curator: Absolutely. The X-ray reveals the painting's layered construction—the material processes behind the final image. What do you make of its ghostly appearance, beyond the monochrome tonality? Editor: There's a compelling tension between revealing and concealing. We see the skeletal structure, the underpainting, but it remains fragmented, a semiotic puzzle. Curator: Indeed. It invites us to consider the labor and the physical presence embedded in the artwork itself. We see it as more than just an image. Editor: Perhaps this glimpse behind the veil enhances our understanding of the artist's intentions. It underscores the complex materiality of art creation. Curator: It's a fascinating reminder of the hidden histories within artworks. Editor: Agreed. It's a powerful testament to what close inspection can reveal.