Vers. Side 30 1840 - 1844

This sketchbook page by Johan Thomas Lundbye, made sometime in the first half of the 19th century, is full of Norse mythological references, a testament to the enduring power of ancient symbols. Lundbye evokes figures like Odin, and mentions myths tied to Saxon origins, revealing an effort to connect with a deeper, ancestral past. The act of invoking Odin here isn't just a retelling of old stories, but a reaching back into a well of cultural memory. Consider how Odin, often depicted as a wanderer, a seeker of wisdom, reappears across different cultures in various guises, each time reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the age. The handwritten verses carry a profound weight as if the very act of writing them is a ritual, a way of channeling these ancient energies. These symbols tap into something primal, something that speaks to us on a level that transcends mere language. They represent a longing for connection, a grappling with mortality, and an eternal search for meaning.