Standing calf to the left 

Editor: So here we have "Standing calf to the left" rendered in ink and graphite— a drawing by Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt, currently held at the Städel Museum. It gives off this very tranquil, almost pastoral vibe, even though it's just a lone calf. What stands out to you? Curator: You know, it reminds me of old storybooks, doesn’t it? A world where animals weren't just food or farmhands, but individuals, deserving of their own narratives. It's more than just realism, isn't it? Editor: Totally! It's like Hirt isn't just copying what he sees, but imbuing the calf with a kind of quiet dignity. How did these artists create the impression of individuality in animal subjects, though? Curator: That's a delicious question. Part of it, I think, is the soft, almost loving touch. Notice the delicate shading, the way the ink almost caresses the form. But I also feel Hirt wasn’t after mere representation, it feels more like a personal reflection, maybe a moment of quiet contemplation found in the presence of this calf. Editor: So, the artwork captures not just the animal’s likeness but the artist's connection to it? Curator: Precisely! I like that you see that. And I suppose in that sense, any work of art really holds a mirror up to ourselves and asks us what do *we* see? What do *we* value? Editor: Wow, I never really thought of it that way. So much more than just a cute cow drawing. It's about connection and how we find meaning in the everyday, right? Curator: Precisely, in the seemingly mundane, even. Editor: Definitely gives me a new perspective. I'll never look at farm animals the same way!