Professor Corbetta 1968

Varlin's "Professor Corbetta" is painted with oil on canvas, a traditional pairing that’s here used to striking effect. Look closely, and you’ll see the vigorous application of paint, particularly in the background, where broad strokes define the space around the sitter, and the thinly painted areas that let the canvas breathe. Varlin’s technique is rooted in the tradition of portraiture, but he’s pushing it, allowing the materiality of the paint to assert itself. The loose brushwork gives the work an air of spontaneity, but also speaks to the labor involved. It captures a sense of immediacy, as if the painting was completed in one sitting. The grey and brown palette of the canvas also highlights the skill and speed in the application of each brushstroke. The way Varlin handles the paint, balancing control and chance, invites us to see the humanity in both the subject and the making of the portrait. It’s a reminder that art is not just about representation, but also about the artist's engagement with their medium.