X-radiograph(s) of "Rev. Samuel Phillips" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of the "Rev. Samuel Phillips," originally painted by John Greenwood. What strikes you first about this ghostly view? Editor: It feels like peering into the soul of the sitter. The starkness makes me think about mortality and the gaze of power that Reverend Phillips held. Curator: Indeed. The X-ray reveals hidden layers, material evidence of the artistic process and perhaps even earlier, unseen compositions beneath the surface. Think of it as a visual archeology! Editor: It’s also a fascinating commentary on portraiture. The original aim was likely to project authority, but this version exposes vulnerability, challenging the very idea of representation. Curator: Absolutely, and perhaps hinting at the complexities beneath the surface of a seemingly straightforward image of a man of the cloth. Editor: It gives me a very different impression of the man than the artist likely intended. Curator: Yes, it's a ghost story in itself. Editor: Precisely, a narrative unearthed, offering a new reading of history.