Rejsedagbog 1845

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's travel journal, made around the 1840s, using ink on paper. Lundbye was a Danish painter and draughtsman, and his journals provide valuable insight into the artistic and intellectual life of the Danish Golden Age. The visual codes and cultural references in his writings reflect the prevailing artistic theories and national romanticism of the time. Lundbye and other artists were concerned with defining a unique Danish identity through their art. Institutions such as the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts played a significant role in shaping artistic production, promoting certain styles and themes. The National Museum of Art, where this journal is housed, actively shapes the narrative of Danish art history. Understanding Lundbye's travel journal requires delving into the social conditions that shaped artistic production in 19th-century Denmark. Researching the art criticism of the period, archival documents from the Academy, and other artists' writings can help us better appreciate how Lundbye and his contemporaries saw the public role of art.