Grazing sheep 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt created this study of a grazing sheep with pen and brown ink. The qualities of the ink contribute to the immediacy of the drawing. Brown ink, often made from iron gall, was a common medium for sketching and allowed for quick, fluid lines. The artist used a variety of strokes to depict the sheep's wool, creating a sense of depth and texture. This wasn't just any sheep, of course; it was a key node in the vast agricultural system of the early modern period. Sheep were essentially wool-producing machines. Hirt captured a moment in the animal’s life, portraying its everyday existence. Through his skilled hand, he elevated the humble sheep to a subject of artistic interest, demonstrating how the processes of observing and rendering can imbue even the most ordinary subjects with significance. It goes to show how paying attention to materials, making, and context allows for a deeper appreciation of the full meaning of art.