Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’ 1828

Curator: Here we have John Varley’s ‘Sketch for Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’, currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: It's intriguing how the artist explores character through astrology. The wispy lines create an ethereal quality. Curator: Varley, active in the early 19th century, was deeply invested in physiognomy—the idea that one's outer appearance reflected inner character. This drawing is tied to a larger cultural fascination. Editor: Yes, you can see Varley linking the materiality of their forms to their supposed zodiacal attributes. It’s the visual labor of categorization. Curator: Precisely. But how much did societal biases influence those associations? It's a question worth pondering. Editor: Ultimately, the drawing reflects a deep social need to classify and understand our fellow humans. Curator: Indeed. A fascinating reflection on art and the human need to categorize.