Sketch for ‘Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy’ 1828

Editor: Here we have John Varley's "Sketch for 'Treatise on Zodiacal Physiognomy'." It has a somewhat unfinished quality, almost ghostly. What do you see in the composition that stands out to you? Curator: Note the economy of line, the way the artist captures form with minimal strokes. The interplay of light and shadow, though subtle, defines the planes of the face. Consider how the curvature of the nose mirrors the curl of the hair. Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's about the relationship between the lines and shapes, not necessarily the subject itself? Curator: Precisely. The sketch transcends mere representation; it's an exploration of form and line, hinting at underlying structural relationships. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It's like the sketch is a language of its own. Curator: Indeed, a visual syntax conveying more than just a portrait.