Skizzenblatt mit Kuhkopf und stehender Kuh, vom Künstler durchgestrichen c. 1860 - 1865

This is an unfinished sketch made with graphite on paper by Wilhelm Busch. The artist captured a cow's head and a standing cow, then crossed them out. The material here is simple, and the process direct. Busch uses a humble graphite pencil, a tool accessible to almost anyone, and paper, to create this work. The texture of the paper allows the graphite to leave a mark, the physical interaction between the artist, the tool, and the surface. You can see how the artist changed his mind, layering lines and scribbles, the artist's hand evident in the strokes and erasures. The act of crossing out the drawing, of negating his own work, also gives it a certain significance. It's as if Busch is not only capturing the likeness of a cow, but also grappling with the very act of creation itself. The labor of the artist is visible in every stroke, every line, and every decision to erase. It reminds us that art-making is not just about the finished product, but about the process of exploration, experimentation, and ultimately, decision-making.