X-radiograph(s) of "Thomas Cushing" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "Thomas Cushing," originally painted by Joseph Badger. The film itself measures 14 by 17 inches. It's held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Fascinating! It gives the impression of looking beneath the surface, both literally and metaphorically. The texture of the canvas is so prominent. Curator: Indeed. It allows us to analyze Badger's technique, seeing the underpainting and structure supporting the visible image. It also prompts us to consider the cultural value placed on portraiture and legacy in the 18th century. Editor: And considering materials—the pigments used, the canvas weave—it makes me think about trade routes, labor, and the very tangible construction of this image of power. Curator: Precisely. The X-ray reveals not just the artist's hand, but the socio-economic underpinnings of its creation. Editor: It definitely gives a fresh perspective on portraiture. Curator: Yes, it moves us away from a simple representation to a complex story of making and meaning.