Rejsedagbog 1845

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's travel journal, likely made with ink on paper around 1845. Lundbye was a Danish painter, and this journal documents his travels in Italy. These notes offer a glimpse into the cultural and institutional practices of 19th-century artists. Visiting museums and religious buildings was central to an artist's education at this time. We see him listing artworks, architectural features, and impressions from places like the Lateran Palace and the Church of San Clemente. The journal provides insight into how artists engaged with the canon of Western art. Lundbye absorbs the classical and Renaissance traditions, which were upheld by the art academies of the time. But we should remember that Lundbye was also part of a growing nationalist movement in Denmark. How did his encounters with Italian art influence his sense of Danish identity? To fully understand this artwork, one could consult Lundbye's letters and other writings, as well as histories of art education and nationalism in 19th-century Europe. In doing so, we can consider how his personal experiences were shaped by broader social and institutional forces.