Rejsedagbog. Haag 1846

Editor: Here we have Johan Thomas Lundbye’s "Rejsedagbog. Haag," created in 1846. It's a spread from what appears to be his travel journal, using paper as the medium. Looking at it, I’m struck by the intimacy of a personal sketchbook, compared to a grander painting of the time. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see paper, labor, and an interesting interplay between public and private consumption. Lundbye, often celebrated for large canvases, uses this humble material – paper – for his 'Rejsedagbog'. The choice is significant. Paper in the 19th century, while more accessible than before, was still a commodity produced by specific labor, within a developing industrialized society. How does this shift our perception of Romanticism? Editor: I hadn't thought about paper that way. So, it’s not just a neutral surface? Curator: Precisely. Consider the journal’s purpose: travel documentation. This isn’t a finished piece intended for public display, but a working document, an object reflecting Lundbye’s experiences shaped by the social and material conditions of his travels. Note the bookbinding: how does its handcrafted aspect relate to the high art Lundbye aspired to create? Editor: It’s interesting to consider how the material connects the artist to a larger network of production and consumption, far beyond just artistic inspiration. Curator: Exactly! And where do we usually see journals today? Editor: On display in glass cases. Here it seems like Lundbye created an informal space where labor, art, and travel converge. It shows Romanticism wasn't just about the sublime, but also everyday existence. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the materials and the context of its creation adds layers of meaning often overlooked in traditional art historical analysis. Editor: This has given me a whole new perspective on the piece. Thank you!