X-radiograph(s) of "Bishop Berkeley" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Bishop Berkeley," attributed to John Smibert. The film is 14 x 17. The image looks damaged and ghostly. What can we learn from the formal qualities of this X-ray? Curator: Note how the density of the paint informs the image. Areas of impasto or lead-based pigments appear brighter, revealing the artist's process and alterations. The structural composition becomes legible through these tonal variations. Editor: So, the damage itself becomes part of the story the image tells? Curator: Precisely. The cracks and losses create a visual texture that contrasts with the smoother passages of paint, prompting a deeper consideration of the material's transformation over time. Editor: I see what you mean. The X-ray reveals the painting as both image and object. Thanks for this interesting perspective.