Drawing for the primer_ Cat c. 1905

Hans Thoma made this drawing of a cat, sometime in his life, with ink on paper. The image shows a cat crouched low, focused intently on a small beetle in front of it. I can imagine Thoma wanting to capture this moment, the cat's total focus, its body coiled and ready to spring. It reminds me of those moments when you are trying to record something fleeting, a gesture, a feeling, before it disappears. It is a reminder to slow down and observe the small dramas that unfold around us every day. The lines are simple and direct, capturing the essence of the scene. The cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture. The cat's fur seems almost palpable. You can feel the tension in its body, the anticipation of the hunt. The drawing has a warmth and intimacy to it. It feels like a glimpse into the artist's personal world, a moment of quiet observation and appreciation.