X-radiograph(s) of "Benjamin Franklin" 

Editor: So, this is an X-radiograph of "Benjamin Franklin" by Robert Feke. It’s fascinating to see the painting stripped down to its bare bones, like an anatomical study. What does this x-ray reveal about the painting's history and its place in society? Curator: Well, such radiographs help us understand the creation process and later interventions. The x-ray becomes a tool to explore the biography of the artwork itself, in a way. Does the x-ray alter how you perceive Franklin's image and its socio-political impact? Editor: I suppose it makes me think about the layers of interpretation and how each one contributes to the myth of Benjamin Franklin. Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the painting and its subsequent radiographic examination become part of its evolving cultural narrative, constantly reshaped by institutions and our own perceptions. Editor: That’s a completely new perspective for me!