X-radiograph(s) of "Sheep in a Farmyard" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Sheep in a Farmyard" by Joseph Foxcroft Cole, and it's fascinating! It looks like a ghostly peek behind the canvas. What can you tell me about why we use radiography to study art? Curator: Radiography allows us to see beneath the surface, revealing the artist's process, any underlying compositions, or later interventions. It is a means of authentication, but more than that, it provides insight into how art's meaning evolves through history. Editor: So, it's like an archaeological dig into a painting's past? Curator: Precisely! Each layer tells a story about artistic intention, cultural shifts, and even the history of conservation. It shows us how the life of a painting intersects with broader social forces. A fascinating insight into art history! Editor: That's a great way to understand it. I hadn't thought about the social and cultural implications of seeing a painting's hidden layers.