X-radiograph(s) of "Mr Vessall (owner)" 

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums present a rather unusual piece: an X-radiograph of "Mr. Vessall (owner)," whose original artist was Joseph Blackburn. Editor: It strikes me as spectral, almost ghostly. The stark contrasts create an ethereal quality, revealing hidden layers. Curator: Precisely. The X-ray unveils the underpainting and the structural support; it’s an index of the making, highlighting artistic processes and materiality. Editor: It's a fascinating perspective, isn't it? We see the hidden labor involved, the construction beneath the surface. Curator: Indeed. It forces us to consider the layers of history and the physical reality of art objects. Editor: Seeing it this way really challenges our preconceived notions of portraiture. Curator: Absolutely, by deconstructing the visible image, we gain a deeper understanding of its creation. Editor: Yes, the hidden process reveals more than the surface ever could.