Figurengruppe mit zwei Männern, die einer am Boden liegenden toten Hirschkuh die Hufe zusammenzubinden versuchen 

Jean-Baptiste Greuze created this ink drawing, now at the Städel Museum, using washes in shades of grey and brown. The figures are grouped closely together, their forms defined by bold, fluid lines and tonal contrasts that create a sense of drama. Look at how Greuze manipulates light and shadow to direct our eyes to the dead deer and the figures surrounding it. The composition invites us to interpret the scene through its visual dynamics. We see the men struggling with the deer, their faces etched with concern. The urgency suggested by their gestures, combined with the static form of the deer, creates tension. A child looks upward, adding an element of innocence to the composition. The drawing explores themes of mortality and human action. Greuze uses the materiality of ink to create a visually compelling exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. The drawing leaves us to reflect on the meanings we project onto such scenes.