X-radiograph(s) of "Portrait of a Woman" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Gilbert Stuart’s "Portrait of a Woman," a ghostly image revealing the layers beneath the surface. It feels so…scientific. What does this reveal beyond the visible artwork? Curator: It reveals the history of the painting itself. X-radiography allows us to see the artist's process, underdrawings, and alterations. Think about what this says about the public perception of art – that we now have the technology, and perhaps even a cultural imperative, to dissect and understand art at this almost forensic level. What do we gain, and perhaps lose, in doing so? Editor: That's fascinating! It gives new meaning to the idea of the artist's hand and intention. Maybe it demystifies the artmaking but creates a new mystery too. Curator: Precisely. This X-ray becomes another layer of interpretation, shaped by evolving cultural desires and technological capabilities.