X-radiograph(s) of "General Dearborn" 

Curator: This is an x-radiograph of Gilbert Stuart's portrait "General Dearborn," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The film measures 14 by 17 inches. Editor: It's like seeing a ghost within a grid. The stark contrast highlights the underpainting—a hidden structure we're not usually privy to. Curator: Absolutely, these radiographs provide invaluable insight into Stuart's technique, layer by layer revealing the material history and process behind this work and the artist's hand. Editor: The grid imposed by the radiography equipment almost feels like a commentary on the systematic analysis of art itself. Curator: Indeed, it's a dialogue between artistic intention and scientific examination, a glimpse beneath the surface of a historical portrait and its cultural value. Editor: Considering the formal elements laid bare, I'm left pondering how much the underpainting guided the final composition. Curator: A compelling thought. These investigative methods prompt a deeper appreciation and also a more profound understanding of art history and the making of an artwork.