Standing cow to the left 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this drawing of a standing cow with chalk on paper. It’s a humble medium, and his economical use of it suggests an artist keen to capture an impression quickly. But there’s nothing off-hand about Hirt’s drawing. Note how he models the cow’s form with dense hatching. The chalk allows him to build up a tonal range, giving volume to the animal’s body. The slight roughness of the chalk against the paper creates a subtle texture, suggesting the animal's hide. What is important is the subject matter. Cows were the engine of agricultural production. To represent one like this, and with such care, elevates it. Hirt draws attention to the fact that the cow is a source of labor, a commodity, a provider of food. So in the end, this modest drawing opens a window onto a whole world of making, and of human engagement with the natural world.