Ox head to the left 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this drawing, "Ox head to the left" with pen and brown ink. Hirt's work sits at an interesting intersection of animal representation and artistic study. Consider the historical context: at a time when agriculture was central to society, cattle held immense economic and cultural value. Representing the animal in art acknowledges their significance and raises questions about our relationship with the natural world, as well as the labor they provide. There's also an emotional aspect to this piece, a subtle engagement with mortality. The careful strokes that define the ox's eye and snout invite contemplation on life, death, and our role within a larger ecosystem. Hirt moves beyond traditional depictions, by transforming a farm animal into a subject worthy of artistic attention. It prompts us to reflect on how we assign value, not just to the subjects of art, but in our everyday lives.