X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Lady (Mrs. James Bowdoin II?)" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of what's believed to be a portrait by Samuel King. It's fascinating to see the inner layers and structure revealed like this. What can you tell me about its composition and materiality? Curator: The linear network of cracks, or craquelure, dominates our perception. These lines form a structural grid, fragmenting the image. The density variations also reveal brushwork and layering techniques employed by the artist. Editor: So, the cracks aren’t just damage; they’re part of the visual language now? Curator: Precisely. They interrupt the intended image, introducing a new layer of visual information, almost a map of the painting’s aging process. The x-ray medium transforms the portrait's inherent properties. Editor: That’s a totally different way to think about it. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, analyzing such internal structures informs our understanding of artistic process and material transformation.