Stehende Kuh nach rechts, in Verkürzung halb von vorn gesehen 

'Stehende Kuh nach rechts, in Verkürzung halb von vorn gesehen' - or 'Standing Cow Facing Right, Foreshortened and Seen Half From the Front' - is a drawing of a cow made by Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt. In a time before cameras, artists like Hirt played a crucial role in documenting the natural world, yet we should consider these images as more than just neutral records. Who chose this cow as the subject? And for what audience? Historically, cows have symbolized different things: female fertility, pastoral ideals, agricultural wealth. Depending on its cultural context, the cow can be seen as a symbol of sacredness, servitude, or sustenance. The simple lines of Hirt’s drawing may seem unassuming, but they subtly reinforce the cow’s cultural and economic value. Hirt invites us to reflect on how our perception of animals is shaped by the roles we assign to them. What do you feel when you see this image of a cow?