X-radiograph(s) of "Bowdoin Children" 

Editor: So, this is an X-radiograph of "Bowdoin Children" by Joseph Blackburn. It's ghostly, almost like looking at a memory. What can this radiography tell us about the painting, beyond just the surface? Curator: The X-radiograph allows us to see beneath the painted surface, revealing the artist's process. It’s a glimpse into the social and artistic practices of the time, the underdrawings, pentimenti, and perhaps even the societal pressures that shaped the final image of these children. What stories do you think it unveils about childhood and representation in that era? Editor: It makes me think about the hidden layers of identity, even in a seemingly straightforward portrait. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! It encourages us to question the constructed nature of portraiture and its role in reflecting and reinforcing social norms.