X-radiograph(s) of "Samuel Johnson" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Samuel Johnson," a portrait by Lawrence Kilburn, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It presents a rather ghostly visage. Editor: Indeed, it's like seeing through the surface, revealing the bare bones of the composition, the texture of the canvas itself. Curator: Exactly. The linear structure of the canvas becomes incredibly prominent, almost obscuring the subject matter. Editor: I'm fascinated by what this reveals about the hidden layers of creation. What types of materials were used, and what does this reveal about art making at the time? Curator: The density of the paint layers in the face are quite evident, creating areas of stark contrast within the composition. Editor: It challenges our notion of portraiture. We see the labor, the materiality, not just the image. Curator: Precisely, a process normally hidden from view. Editor: A fascinating insight into the life of a painting, and its creation. Curator: A unique perspective, indeed.