X-radiograph(s) of "William Carpenter" 

Editor: Here we have an X-radiograph of "William Carpenter", of undetermined date, by Ralph Earl, at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a ghostly version of the original. What does an X-ray reveal to you about this painting? Curator: The X-radiograph exposes the painting's material construction, revealing the artist's process. The density variations tell us about the pigments used, their layering, and alterations made. It prompts us to consider the labor and materials involved. Editor: It's fascinating how the X-ray unveils the hidden history of the artwork's creation. Curator: Indeed, it pushes us to think about art not just as a finished product, but as a record of material choices and actions.