X-radiograph(s) of "Mrs. Epes Sargent" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of John Singleton Copley's "Mrs. Epes Sargent," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like an archaeological dig into the canvas itself! I immediately notice the weave and the ghost-like presence of the subject. Curator: Indeed. The X-ray reveals the underpainting, highlighting Copley's meticulous layering and adjustments to the composition. Note the sharp contrast. Editor: It makes me think about the labor involved, the preparation of the canvas, the grinding of pigments, the entire material process usually hidden from view. Curator: Precisely. The X-ray peels back layers of representation, allowing us to analyze the structure beneath the surface. Fascinating, the unseen architecture of art. Editor: It's a reminder that even the most seemingly effortless portrait involves immense work and that "art" itself is a complex, multi-layered object of labor. Curator: A powerful dialogue between visibility and invisibility. It re-contextualizes our notions of portraiture and artistic construction. Editor: Absolutely. It prompts a reflection on the art-making process, moving away from the mystique of genius and toward the tangible realities of creation.