Rejsedagbog. Milano 1846

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's travel journal, likely made during his travels in Milan. It's a humble object: paper, ink, and the simple binding of a notebook. Lundbye wasn't creating a finished artwork here. Instead, he was using the journal as a tool. It was a means to record observations and impressions, almost like a portable extension of his mind. The handwritten text, filled with references to artists and artworks he encountered, shows the work of intellectual labor, of an artist actively engaging with the cultural landscape around him. What's fascinating is how the materiality of the journal itself – its portability, its accessibility – democratizes the artistic process. It's not about high-end materials or elaborate techniques. It's about the act of seeing, recording, and reflecting. The journal reminds us that art isn't just about the finished product, but also about the journey, the process, and the everyday practices that shape an artist's vision. It challenges us to look beyond the traditional boundaries of art and to value the creative labor embedded in even the simplest of objects.