X-radiograph(s) of "Charles Pelham" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph, 14 by 17 inches, of John Singleton Copley’s portrait of Charles Pelham. It’s fascinating how it reveals the hidden structure beneath the surface. Editor: It has a ghostly, almost ethereal quality. It makes me think about the ways we try to see through the surfaces of history, to understand what's truly there. Curator: Exactly! The X-ray reveals Copley’s technique, the underlying layers of paint, and any alterations he might have made. It's like a symbolic unveiling. Editor: Thinking about Pelham, a prominent figure in colonial Boston, this image subverts the traditional portrait's power. It strips away the visual cues of status, presenting a raw, almost vulnerable perspective. Curator: And it offers a fresh perspective on Copley’s artistic process, his journey of creation and the pentimenti, or changes, he made along the way. Editor: Yes, the cultural symbolism lies in the fact that it is no longer just a portrait but the analysis of the portrait, and the man. It changes our perception of portraits. Curator: It makes you reflect on layers of time, technique, and interpretation. Editor: Indeed, art as a site for exploration.