X-radiograph(s) of "Daniel Waldo Sr." 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph, a peek beneath the surface of Christian Gullager's portrait of Daniel Waldo Sr. Editor: It's like a ghostly impression! What a stark contrast to the presumed formality of the original portrait. Curator: Precisely. The X-ray reveals the density of the materials, the lead in the paint, and the structure beneath. Think about the labor involved, the grinding of pigments, and the layering of paint. Editor: I see the craquelure, the cracking of the paint layer. There is an intrinsic beauty in the degradation, a strange vulnerability. Curator: Indeed, it highlights the physicality of the artwork, its vulnerability to time, temperature, and handling. Editor: It makes you consider its lifespan, from the artist's studio to now, and the stories that each element of the painting could tell. Curator: I agree. This process reveals more than just an image, it reflects the evolution of the object. Editor: It has that haunting effect that resonates as both beautiful and disturbing.