X-radiograph(s) of "James Otis" 

Curator: This is an X-radiograph of "James Otis," originally painted by John Singleton Copley. The Harvard Art Museums hold this intriguing peek beneath the surface. Editor: The composition has a ghostly, almost dreamlike quality, doesn't it? The stark contrast emphasizes the textures of the canvas and the subject's features. Curator: Indeed, it's fascinating how the X-ray reveals Copley's process – we see the underlying structure and the density of the pigments. Light and shadow seem to play a somber role here, despite the lack of color. Editor: Absolutely, and even without color, the subject evokes a sense of introspection and perhaps even vulnerability. It reminds us of the layers of history and memory embedded within an image. Otis, the figure himself, becomes an almost ethereal presence. Curator: A compelling reminder that art is not merely a surface, but a complex layering of intention, technique, and cultural significance. Editor: And that viewing art is a process of revealing meanings hidden in plain sight.