Zwei Ochsen neben einem Karren 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this sketch of two oxen beside a cart with graphite on paper. It captures a moment of rural life, perhaps in Germany, given its location in the Städel Museum. Though Hirt's dates are unknown, it is important to consider the changing attitudes toward rural life in 19th century Europe. Industrialization and urbanization were rapidly transforming societies, leading artists to romanticize and idealize the countryside. This sketch then might be read not just as a neutral observation, but as part of a broader cultural trend. The oxen, traditional draft animals, and the humble cart, evoke a simpler, pre-industrial way of life. To better understand the drawing we can research the economic conditions in Germany during the 19th century, and visit archives, libraries and other museums. This helps us better appreciate its role as a cultural artifact.