X-radiograph(s) of "William Brattle" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "William Brattle," originally painted by John Singleton Copley. The film itself measures 14 x 17 inches. Editor: It's eerie, almost ghostly. The linear textures create a stark contrast with the smooth, pale face. Curator: Exactly. The X-ray reveals the underlying structure, the canvas weave, and the density of the paint layers. This provides insight into Copley's technique, his process of building up the image. Editor: And perhaps, a glimpse into the sitter's world—William Brattle, a complex figure in pre-Revolutionary War America, his identity quite intertwined with the shifting colonial power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. The visible material history adds another dimension. Editor: It's fascinating how technology can reveal not only artistic technique but also the layered narratives of identity and power. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality speaks volumes.