Regnskab 1846 1846

This is a page from Martinus Rørbye’s account book for the year 1846. Its materials are simple: paper, ink, and thread, binding it together. These are, of course, the stuff of everyday life, but here, meticulously inscribed, they take on a special aura. Consider the labor involved in this type of record-keeping. Every entry is handwritten, each number carefully aligned. The aesthetic isn’t exactly beautiful, but there is a definite order and precision to it. Notice the ruled lines, the consistent script. Think about the social context. Rørbye was an artist, but also a man of affairs, tracking his income and expenses, maybe even hoping to turn a profit. This reflects the increasing monetization of art in the 19th century. This humble ledger reminds us that all art, no matter how elevated, exists within systems of labor, value, and exchange. It prompts us to ask: what is the relationship between art and everyday life, and how do we assign worth to creative work?