Rejsedagbog 1845

Curator: Here, we see a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's "Rejsedagbog" or Travel Journal, dating back to 1845. It is a drawing, a notation really, rendered on paper. My initial response involves wondering about the story behind this object's creation: its production, access to materials, and the very labor embedded within it. What strikes you about this piece? Editor: I think I am struck by the text, but without understanding it, I am somewhat disconnected from the work itself. And the brown smudges, of course. What story does that element bring to the art making itself? Curator: I think Lundbye's journal entries offer us a glimpse into his material world and artistic process, right? Consider the accessibility of paper and ink at that time, versus now. And the portability of the sketchbook form itself. Did this constrain or enable the work, the notes here regarding travel observations, perhaps of landscapes and art he encountered, not simply high art, but observations. Editor: I never thought about how the availability of materials affects an artist’s choices. So, knowing this was part of a travel journal, does the writing have a significant meaning for you? Is the artistic creation or notation an act in itself? Curator: Indeed, understanding that Lundbye actively *chose* to record his experiences using accessible materials, rather than monumental canvases of the Salon, redefines our interpretation, doesn't it? His immediate responses carry meaning in and of themselves. They circumvent high art to become about simple process. Do you find that adds another layer to our viewing experience? Editor: Definitely. Recognizing the social and economic conditions, how a simple sketchbook acted as a space for artistic documentation… It makes me think about the many artistic processes beyond finished masterpieces. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! The materials and means really do help uncover broader, deeper insights.