X-radiograph(s) of "Stephen Sewall" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Stephen Sewall," attributed to John Smibert. It looks like a ghostly image. What can we learn from looking at an x-ray of a painting? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? X-radiography helps us understand the painting's material history, revealing the artist's process, underdrawings, and any later alterations or repairs. What does this tell us about how museums preserve artworks? Editor: So, it’s like a secret history hidden beneath the surface! It shows the artwork's journey through time. Curator: Exactly! The institutional effort to preserve it, and the artist's intention, are made visible through this process. A social commentary, perhaps? Editor: I never thought about it that way, but now I see how it connects to the bigger picture.