Grooming cat 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this drawing of a grooming cat with graphite on paper. Graphite, the primary material, allows for a wide range of tonal values, evident in the cat's fur, created by varying pressure on the pencil. The tooth of the paper also plays a part, giving the drawing a slightly textured appearance. The process of drawing, with its directness and immediacy, captures the fleeting moment of a cat in self-care, a domestic scene made permanent on paper. While this medium and technique have ties to the traditions of fine art, Hirt's choice to depict an ordinary subject elevates the everyday, bringing a new level of appreciation to the common events in our lives. There is a lot of work that goes into creating an artwork, which is not always visible. Paying attention to materials, techniques, and context allows us to understand the meaning of Hirt's drawing, and the artistic value found in both fine art and craft.