Gavlen af et schweizerhus 1845

This is a page from Johan Thomas Lundbye’s sketchbook, dating to 1848. It consists of handwritten notes and a sketch, executed with pen and ink. It's not a finished work, but a utilitarian object, a site of constant use and reference. The intimacy of the sketchbook format allows us to see the artist's working methods firsthand, rather than a highly polished finished artwork. The handwritten notes offer insights into Lundbye's thoughts and observations, as well as records of daily expenses, which are inseparable from the creative process. The presence of both text and image reflects the integration of different modes of expression in Lundbye's practice, moving between observation and textual record. These kinds of notebooks were essential to artistic production in the 19th century, allowing artists to capture and develop ideas on the go. Appreciating their status as working documents helps us to look beyond the traditional categories of art and craft.