Standing cow to the right 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt rendered "Standing Cow to the Right" in an expressive sketch, now held at the Städel Museum. Cows, throughout art history, have been symbols deeply interwoven with pastoral life, and the agricultural economy, representing sustenance, fertility, and a connection to the land. In 19th-century Europe, the image of livestock carried implications about rural life, and the changing social structures due to industrialization. Hirt's sketch is a sensitive portrayal, capturing the animal's physical presence, and perhaps alluding to its symbolic weight. The cow stands, not as a mere farm animal, but as a quiet witness to the transformations of its time. With each line, Hirt invites us to consider our relationship with the natural world, and the roles we assign to the animals within it. This simple sketch encapsulates complex narratives about identity, history, and our enduring connection to the earth.