Rejsedagbog. Firenze 1846

This page comes from Johan Thomas Lundbye’s travel journal, written in ink. Lundbye was a Danish painter and graphic artist, working in the first half of the 19th century, a period when Denmark experienced a surge of national romanticism. Lundbye made this journal during a study trip to Italy. The notes include observations from his travels, musings on art, and sketches of landscapes and people he encountered. As a record of an artist's personal encounters with the world, the journal invites us to consider the relationship between travel, art, and identity. It reflects how artists of the time sought inspiration in foreign lands, particularly Italy, which was seen as a cradle of Western art. Art historians consult a variety of sources to understand the contexts in which art is produced. Travel journals, letters, exhibition reviews, and the writings of the artists themselves can help reveal the social and cultural forces that shape artistic vision.