X-radiograph(s) of "Katharine van Cortlandt" 

Editor: This is an X-radiograph of "Katharine van Cortlandt," painted by someone from the School of Pieter Vanderlyn. It's fascinating to see a portrait rendered in this way. What strikes me is how much the scan reveals, despite it being an x-ray. What do you make of it? Curator: It reminds us that portraits of this era weren't just about capturing likeness, but about constructing identity and social standing. Consider the pearls: What do they signify about Katharine's status within the Dutch colonial world? Can an x-ray disrupt those intended messages? Editor: So the medium itself challenges the original portrait's intention? Curator: Precisely! It pulls back the curtain, exposing the layers beneath the surface and prompting questions about representation, power, and who gets to control the narrative. It makes one wonder what stories lie hidden within other portraits of the time. Editor: That is quite a thought. Thank you for your insight! Curator: My pleasure! It is important to constantly question the established norms and representations in historical artworks.