Rejsedagbog 1845

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's travel diary, undated, held at the SMK. The dominant visual here is text, inscribed with a dark ink on aged paper. The handwriting, with its loops and varying stroke weights, presents a textural contrast to the smooth paper, creating a visually intricate surface. The formal structure reveals a tension between order and disorder. The lines of text attempt a linear progression across the page, yet the handwritten nature introduces a unique rhythm. This interplay challenges the conventional grid, suggesting a fluid, personal engagement with language and representation. The aging of the paper, seen in the discolouration and frayed edges, further complicates this structure, adding layers of time and materiality. Lundbye’s diary challenges the traditional notion of art as a polished, finished product. Instead, it exists as a raw, unfiltered expression—a series of thoughts and observations captured in real-time. This informality is its power, offering an unmediated glimpse into the artist’s inner world.