In Anselm Kiefer's artwork titled "Breaking of the Vessels," the broken glass is believed to represent the shattering of traditional and romanticized notions of German history, culture, and identity. Kiefer often explores themes of memory, German history, and the aftermath of World War II in his works, and in this piece, the broken glass can be seen as a symbol of the destruction and fragmentation of these ideals. It could also symbolize the deep wounds and trauma caused by the war, as well as the need for the collective German society to confront and face their troubling past.
