Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’ 1828

Editor: This is John Varley's "Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’," housed at the Tate. The delicate pencil strokes create a series of men's profiles, almost like a study in mass production of portraits. What can you tell us about the social context of this piece? Curator: Well, note the artist's intention—a treatise linking physiognomy to the zodiac. Consider the labor involved: careful observation, meticulous drawing, and reproduction. The paper itself, its sourcing and cost, speaks to a particular economy of art production. Editor: So, it's about more than just portraiture? Curator: Exactly. It highlights the cultural fascination with categorizing individuals, almost like a factory assembly line of faces. How did such systematic approaches to representing people influence art and society? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's like a commodity of identity. Thanks for the insight. Curator: My pleasure. It’s a reminder of how materials and making shape our understanding of art.