Rejsedagbog. Haag 1846

Curator: This drawing, "Rejsedagbog. Haag," created in 1846 by Johan Thomas Lundbye, features ink on paper, exhibiting elements of Romanticism and narrative art. The visual impact, while subtle, is certainly striking. Editor: Yes, it's essentially a page from a sketchbook or journal. What strikes me is how immediate it feels, a snapshot of the artist's thoughts. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I am drawn to consider Lundbye's access to materials and the social implications of art-making at this time. Paper and ink were not universally accessible. Lundbye’s journey and record-keeping is facilitated by his privileged access to resources. Consider the labor involved in producing both the paper and ink, as well as Lundbye's own labor of writing and illustrating. Who did he encounter? What shapes this diary entry? Editor: So, the materials themselves and the act of writing are as significant as what is written? Curator: Precisely! Lundbye isn't just conveying information. The diary page as artifact tells its own tale about materiality and labor in 19th-century Europe. We can analyze the cost, effort and artistic conventions used for romantic expression. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered how the accessibility of these materials and the sheer labour changed the meaning of the diary entry. I appreciate seeing the social context within these sketched diary entries, not just for what it depicts but as a testament to what Lundbye consumed to do his drawings.