Willow trunk 

Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt made this drawing, "Willow trunk," with pencil on paper. Hirt captures the rough texture and gnarled form of the willow's trunk, a tree often associated with mourning and resilience. Historically, the willow has been a symbol of sorrow, particularly for women. But here, Hirt’s focus on the tree’s strength suggests an alternative reading. The willow’s ability to bend without breaking mirrors the experience of marginalized communities. Hirt, perhaps unconsciously, touches on themes of endurance and survival. We might consider how the act of drawing itself, with its subtle gradations and delicate lines, mirrors the willow’s own quiet strength. The drawing’s stark simplicity invites a sense of intimacy, encouraging us to reflect on our own relationship to nature and to the emotional weight carried within the natural world.