Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’ 1828

Curator: Here we have a drawing by John Varley, from the Tate collection, titled "Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’". Editor: It's fascinating! I'm immediately drawn to the faces, so full of... something almost theatrical. Curator: Indeed. Varley, who lived from 1778 to 1842, was clearly exploring the connection between facial features and astrological signs. Editor: Right, and the eyes in the sketch below seem to isolate and amplify the qualities he was looking for. I wonder if he felt that a certain alignment of the stars meant a certain destiny was written on the face. Curator: Perhaps. Physiognomy was quite popular then, the idea that one could read character through physical appearance. It's a tempting notion, isn’t it? The belief that we can see someone's essence. Editor: It is! The faces feel timeless but also trapped in this strange moment, and I can not quite read all of their characters written in the lines. What a great piece! Curator: It certainly offers much to ponder.