Rejsedagbog 1845

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye's travel journal, likely dating to the 1840s, made with paper, ink, and a leather binding. The dense, handwritten script, penned with iron gall ink, speaks to the intimate and immediate nature of the artist’s observations. Notice how the ink has slightly eaten into the paper over time, a testament to its reactive properties and the slow, relentless march of material degradation. The book’s small size, and the evident wear on its binding, suggests a life lived in transit, constantly opened and consulted. The journal is a direct connection to Lundbye’s experience of the world. The labor is evident not just in the writing itself, but in the very act of carrying the journal, recording thoughts and impressions, and building up a personal archive of experience. Ultimately, the value of this artwork isn't just in its aesthetic qualities, but also in the labor, the personal journey, and the social context it represents.