Phorminx, Grande lyre before 1828

Pierre Félix van Doren created this delicate drawing titled 'Phorminx, Grande lyre', sometime between the late 18th and mid-19th century. The lyre, an ancient stringed instrument, transcends its musical function, becoming a potent symbol deeply embedded in the cultural and artistic expressions of its time. During this era, music and the arts were closely intertwined with societal structures and ideals. The lyre, prominently featured in classical mythology and art, served as a marker of status and education within the upper echelons of society. As such, the lyre has become a symbol of elitism, a representation of the divide between the privileged and the working classes, and, more broadly, between those with access to cultural capital and those without. In this context, van Doren's meticulous drawing prompts us to consider the complex interplay of music, class, and identity. The lyre, in its form and symbolism, both reflected and reinforced the prevailing social hierarchies. How might our contemporary understanding of music and art challenge or subvert the historical legacies of inequality and exclusion?