Standing cow to the left 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this drawing of a cow at an unknown date with pen and brown ink. The artist's choice of medium is interesting here; the ink is applied with a visible economy of line, carefully depicting the form of the animal. The process is one of layering and building up tone, achieving depth and roundness with the simplest of means. But while the material appears humble, the effect is monumental. It is the work of a trained artist, accustomed to using a quill pen to capture the essence of a thing. While a cow might not be considered a traditionally noble subject, Hirt’s skill in handling the ink elevates it, inviting us to appreciate the animal's solid form and the artist’s command of his craft. In doing so, Hirt challenges conventional distinctions between high and low art. It is the artist's attention, skill, and mode of production that make the subject special.