Drinking cow 

Max Liebermann made this drawing of a drinking cow with charcoal, a humble material, perfect for capturing the simple realities of rural life. Look closely, and you'll notice the rough texture of the charcoal on the paper. The marks aren't blended smoothly; instead, Liebermann allows them to stand alone, creating a sense of immediacy. You can almost feel the dry, dusty quality of the material, mirroring the pastoral scene itself. The limited tonal range of charcoal – blacks, grays, and whites – further simplifies the composition. It emphasizes the stark contrast between light and shadow. Consider the labor involved here. Charcoal is made by charring wood, a process that links directly to the landscape. Liebermann's choice of material connects him to the working class, and also to wider issues of labor and land. By focusing on the essentials, Liebermann elevates a common scene into something quietly profound. This work reminds us that the most ordinary materials, and the labor they represent, can be transformed into art.