X-radiograph(s) of "Mrs. Abigail Gerrish and Grandaughter" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of John Greenwood's "Mrs. Abigail Gerrish and Grandaughter," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a film sized at 14 x 17. Editor: Intriguing! There's a certain ghostly quality to it; the monochromatic palette emphasizes texture and form over color. Curator: Absolutely, and it showcases the materiality of the piece. The X-ray reveals the hidden layers, the underpainting and structural supports that speak to the labor involved. Editor: The composition seems almost chaotic, a network of cracks disrupting any clear figure-ground relationship. What does this tell us about the original painting’s structure? Curator: It highlights the canvas's aging process, and the history of the materials' use. It makes us reconsider the consumption and conservation of art itself. Editor: Indeed. It's fascinating how this process of uncovering reveals both the physical making and the potential for deterioration inherent in art. Curator: Precisely, it pushes us to appreciate the physical presence of the artwork as a product of labor and time. Editor: Seeing beyond the surface reframes our perception of art history, doesn’t it? Curator: I find myself pondering the unseen efforts to keep it preserved and understood.