Standing ox to the left 

This is Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt's drawing of a "Standing ox to the left" at the Städel Museum. Hirt uses graphite to create a softly rendered profile of the animal. The ox is not simply depicted, it is constructed through line and shading. Notice how the artist employs varied strokes to define form and texture. Short, quick strokes suggest the density of the fur, while longer, flowing lines delineate the animal’s overall shape. Hirt captures the weight and mass of the ox, yet the sketch remains light and airy. The ox stands as a signifier within a broader cultural context. Historically, oxen have symbolized strength and labor but also docility and sacrifice. Hirt’s drawing, through its formal qualities, invites a re-evaluation of these fixed meanings. By focusing on the ox’s physical presence, Hirt uses the animal as a focal point for exploring themes of existence. The ox becomes more than an animal, but an exploration of form itself.