Drawing for the primer_ Donkey c. 1905

Hans Thoma made this drawing of a donkey for a primer, and what strikes me is the humble yet confident line work. It's as though Thoma isn't just depicting a donkey, but also showing us the very act of seeing and drawing. The physicality of the drawing medium – probably ink – creates a delicate dance between light and shadow. Look closely at the donkey's head; the dense, cross-hatched lines give it a palpable weight, a sense of the animal's weary stillness. Then notice how the body is less defined, more open, inviting our eye to complete the form. It’s almost as if the donkey is breathing. I see echoes of folk art traditions in Thoma's work, that direct, unpretentious approach to capturing the world around us. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers.