Lying cattle to the right 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt’s “Lying cattle to the right” is a simple, yet impactful, study of a reclining cow. The red chalk drawing is a testament to the artist’s keen observation of animal anatomy, capturing the contours and texture of the cow’s form with a sense of dynamism. The minimal background, consisting of lightly drawn grassy tufts, focuses the viewer’s attention entirely on the subject, highlighting Hirt’s skill in capturing the essence of his subject. This work, housed in the Städel Museum, offers a glimpse into Hirt’s artistic practice and his mastery of the animal figure.