Hi there,
would it be possible to add broken strings as symbol of vanitas, maybe in the 11R7-section as
11R73 · broken string(s) as symbol of ‘Vanitas’. Image links: https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/863164; Flugblatt: Warhafftige Beschreibung von einer grossen Baßgeigen (Titelincipit) - Satire auf die Großsprecherei | deutsch | Bildindex der Kunst & Architektur - Bildindex der Kunst & Architektur - Startseite Bildindex; SKD | Online Collection; Allegorie der Musik (Die Muse Erato) | Filippino Lippi | Bildindex der Kunst & Architektur - Bildindex der Kunst & Architektur - Startseite Bildindex
Best, Dagmar
Dagmar,
As there are other possible meanings for a broken string and musical instruments can be damaged in other ways as well, it might be a better solution to opt for an extension of the keys for musical instruments. Perhaps in this section: 48C7311(+42) violin, fiddle (+ damage and repair of work of art).
And then we could of course create a cross reference from 11R7. Let me think it over and make some suggestions. It would be helpful to collect other examples of damaged art and other forms of destruction in the context of Vanitas, but it may take a while to find them. Pehaps ChatGPT has useful suggestions 
Here is at least one example of a broken string in emblematics. Arkyves has some more examples.
1 Like
Hans,
I can see your point. A bit of currant picking: I have difficulties to equate a replacement item as a string (same with broken reeds of oboes and clarinets) with a broken neck of a lute or a crack in the body of a violin that will ask for proper measurements of repair. But for art probably it’s the same result (you can’t make music with this instrument), I guess.