X-radiograph(s) of "Judge Quincy" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Judge Quincy," attributed to John Smibert. The film is 14 x 17. It's fascinating to see the layers beneath the surface. What does this X-ray tell us about the painting and its context? Curator: It invites us to consider the painting not just as a finished product, but as a site of labor and potential change. What does it mean to unveil, literally, what is usually hidden, especially when considering a figure like Judge Quincy and the power he would have wielded? Editor: That’s a great point. It makes you wonder what secrets the portrait holds, both visible and invisible. Curator: Exactly! It also challenges the notion of the artist as sole creator, emphasizing the role of materials and even time in shaping the artwork's narrative. It pushes us to question what we value in art. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. Thanks for opening my eyes to new perspectives!