X-radiograph(s) of "Edward Holyoke" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of John Singleton Copley's portrait of "Edward Holyoke," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the stark contrast—the way the light and shadow define the figure's features. It almost feels ghostly. Curator: Indeed, the X-ray reveals hidden layers, almost like uncovering memories embedded within the canvas. Holyoke, a past president of Harvard, is now seen through a different lens. Editor: The composition is incredibly strong; the placement of the head, the gaze—it commands attention even in this spectral form. I wonder what pigments were used; they must have a certain density to register this way. Curator: Perhaps revealing the very essence of his authority and scholarly presence, echoing across generations through the visual language of portraiture and power. Editor: It's fascinating how the X-ray process strips away the surface and reveals the underlying structure, the skeleton of the painting itself. A testament to Copley's skill. Curator: It transforms our understanding, shifting from surface likeness to something deeper about time, memory, and the enduring symbolic power of the image. Editor: Yes, a whole new perspective is provided by this glimpse behind the curtain.