"Lærebøger" 1842 - 1845

"Lærebøger" or "Textbooks" was made by Johan Thomas Lundbye in the early 19th century using paper and ink. The nature of paper as a ground for inscription is crucial here. The artist’s handwritten notes on these pages are filled with references to academic subjects, reflecting his intellectual interests and the education system of his time. The quality of the paper, its texture and weight, offer insight into the resources available to Lundbye and the culture of documentation in the 1800s. The use of ink, with its fluidity and permanence, speaks to the act of recording thoughts and knowledge. The creation of this notebook, filled with handwritten entries, underscores the labor involved in intellectual pursuits. It also shows how knowledge was personally curated and disseminated before mass printing became widespread. This emphasis on materiality, making, and context challenges the traditional art historical focus on the finished image. It invites us to consider the broader social and cultural implications of artistic creation.