The work of the peasant painter Gottlieb Feurer (1875-1912) captivates with its realistic depictions of cows. Every wrinkle, every muscle of the animal was important to the painter and was drawn with great dedication. It is no wonder that Feurer's cows are still loved and admired by the farming population of Toggenburg today. The precision almost makes one forget that Gottlieb Feurer was a complete autodidact, who mostly painted his works during the quieter winter months. Who was this farmer, who never left his home and farm and refined his skills with great diligence? For the first time, the life of the Toggenburg painter has been researched, and his entire body of work has been placed in the context of East Swiss peasant painting. The author illustrates how Feurer taught himself his craft by studying the works of his role model Babeli Giezendanner and ultimately developed his own style.