Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’ 1828

Curator: John Varley's "Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’," now residing in the Tate Collections, offers an intriguing glimpse into early 19th-century artistic exploration. Editor: There's a real sense of restrained elegance, almost severity, in these spare profiles. The linearity is quite striking. Curator: It is fascinating when considering the social context—Varley's interest in physiognomy reflects a broader cultural fascination with attempting to define character through external appearances. This interest was further fueled by the labor required to both produce and engage with artistic practices. Editor: I'm drawn to the way Varley uses line weight to suggest volume and depth, giving each face a distinct presence despite the minimalist approach. Curator: Indeed. And beyond artistic considerations, we must also remember the role that drawings like these played in the construction of social identities. Editor: A compelling intersection of aesthetic and social dimensions, quite intriguing. Curator: Precisely.