Study of a couple of oxen 

Alfred Dehodencq made this drawing, "Study of a couple of oxen," in the 19th century. It shows a pair of oxen pulling a cart, rendered with quick, expressive lines. The sketch provides insight into the socio-economic context of 19th-century France. Agriculture was still a vital part of the economy, and animals like oxen were essential for farm work and transportation. Dehodencq, trained in academic art, likely made this study as part of his broader artistic practice which involved observing and documenting various aspects of contemporary life. By focusing on the working animals, the artist draws attention to the often-unseen labor that supported society. We might look at agricultural records and social histories of rural France to better understand the realities depicted in this drawing.