X-radiograph(s) of "Josiah Quincy" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait, “Josiah Quincy.” It's fascinating to see the painting like this, almost like an anatomical study. What strikes you about this view of the artwork? Curator: It’s a powerful reminder that portraits are never simply objective likenesses. Consider how the layering of paint, revealed by the x-ray, parallels the layering of identity. What aspects of Quincy did Stuart choose to emphasize, and why? How does this intersect with Quincy’s own self-presentation within the socio-political landscape? Editor: That makes me consider the power dynamics involved in portraiture. Curator: Precisely. This radiographic view invites us to unpack the constructed nature of representation itself.