X-radiograph(s) of "Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton, (Mrs. Perez Morton)" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Sarah Wentworth Apthorp Morton, film size 14 x 17. Editor: Its ghostly appearance gives a glimpse beyond the painted surface, suggesting the layers of artistic process. Curator: Absolutely. It reveals Stuart’s initial marks, the evolution of his composition, and perhaps areas where the paint has aged or been altered over time. Editor: X-rays like these were probably used to assess the painting's condition, providing art historians with data to explore attribution and authenticity. I wonder how this process has changed our understanding of the portrait? Curator: It lets us look beneath the surface, literally, to decode the creative decisions and material history embedded within the artwork. Editor: True. It reminds us that behind every finished painting lies a complex and layered story.