X-radiograph(s) of "James Bowdoin" 

Curator: We are looking at an X-radiograph of "James Bowdoin," originally by Robert Feke, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like looking at a ghost, all hazy shapes and hidden depths. Kind of eerie, but also fascinating. Curator: Indeed. This particular view allows us to peer beneath the surface, revealing details about the artist's process, like underpainting or alterations that wouldn't be visible otherwise. Think of it as an art historical autopsy. Editor: Autopsy! Okay, now I'm really feeling the ghost vibes. It's like the painting's soul made visible. So, are we looking at secrets, or just brushstrokes? Curator: Both, perhaps! The x-ray visualizes how paintings change over time, and it might illuminate the reasons why this portrait was reworked. It can change how we see Feke and his portraiture. Editor: I love that-- it's like the painting is whispering its backstory, one shadowy layer at a time. It is a bit like archaeology meets art. Curator: Precisely, giving us new ways to understand colonial portraiture. Editor: Well, I’m officially spooked—and enlightened! A ghostly glimpse into art history – who could ask for more?