Johannes Brochmann sketchbooks [graphic materials] / Johannes Brochmann

Supplied title note
Title is based on the creator of the collection.
Collection number
VMM61
Date(s)
1917 - [1945]
Physical description
10 sketchbooks
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Johannes Brochmann (1901-1957) was a Royal Norwegian Navy cadet who sketched during his training at sea from the 1920s until WWII. Born in Christiania (modern Oslo), Norway he followed a long family tradition by going to sea at the age of 18. He continued another family tradition by sketching his colleagues and surroundings. His work began at the end of the First World War and continued through to the Second. His skills improved over the years; in retirement he often reworked sketches giving them a wryer and more contemporary treatment.
Scope & content

This extraordinary collection of sketchbooks is the personal visual diary of Johannes Brochmann. This large collection of imagery was created during his travel at sea and is captured in this impressive collection of watercolour images. Most are bound in original sketchbooks.

The earliest sketchbooks document his time with the Norwegian America Line (NAL) on board the Lyngenfjord, Bergensfjord, and Stavangerfjord. The books continue on with the various vessels he served on. The last sketchbook in the collection consists of ships and their flags from all over the world. Sometimes the drawings are embellished by newspaper cutouts of pin-up girls, or small cartoons created by the artist.

Please be advised: due to the nature of historic records, unfamiliar, outdated, incorrect, racist, and/or offensive terms appear throughout this collection.

Arrangement
Sketchbooks 1-9 are arranged in chronological order by the Archivist. Sketchbook 10's original order is maintained.
Languages
Norwegian, English
Related materials
As featured in The sea journal : seafarers' sketchbooks by Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones.
Restrictions
Reproductions: Public domain (Canada). Will enter public domain in Norway on January 1, 2028. For additional countries' applicable laws, please contact the Archivist.
Access: The original sketchbooks are very delicate. Please consult the scanned versions of the books where available.
Loading...
Loading...