Robert Smithson was interested in belief systems, in religion, and in popular culture. In his pre-1964 works he made many works that create conversations and contradictions by combining references from various histories. The zodiac drawings depict Smithson’s interpretation of each of the twelve signs in the astrological calendar. On the verso of each drawing are handwritten annotations, that contain biblical references and quotations from the Book of Genesis.

Drawing was an essential part of Robert Smithson’s artistic practice. This portfolio of drawings is a complete sketchbook from around 1970. They range from schematic drawings to notes, doodles, and resolved drawings of the earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970). This sketchbook offers insight into Smithson’s thinking processes, showing recurring forms as one page gives way to the next.