Study of a Head in Profile [verso]

Varley employs a gray wash to establish a soft tonal foundation, over which graphite lines define the facial features and hair. The use of laid paper, with its characteristic ribbed texture, contributes subtle variations in tone. This combination of wash and drawing aligns with early‑19th‑century British practices that valued precision in draftsmanship alongside watercolor effects.

Created in 1810, the drawing belongs to a period when Varley was establishing his reputation as a watercolourist and teacher. Although primarily known for his larger watercolor works, this study illustrates his dedication to drawing as a core component of his artistic training. The piece has remained within private collections, with no record of exhibition during the artist’s lifetime.

Varley’s association with William Blake and his involvement in the burgeoning British watercolor movement inform the drawing’s aesthetic. The study reflects the era’s emphasis on rigorous figure work as a foundation for more elaborate compositions, a principle that would influence subsequent British academies and drawing schools throughout the 19th century.