Grooming cat 

This is a drawing of a grooming cat by Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt, and it's made with graphite on paper. The inherent qualities of graphite -- its relative softness, its ability to create a range of tones, its responsiveness to pressure -- all contribute to the drawing's success. The artist has used the material to capture the cat's fluid, supple form, and the way it curls up in a ball. Graphite has been used for centuries in art making, and it wasn't until mass production began in the 19th century that graphite pencils became available, and affordable, for the masses. This mass production was tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Ultimately, by understanding the material, the making, and the context, we can fully appreciate the artistic significance and the cultural meaning of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.