Finally, it works! Thanks for the pointers.
Final software setup with Arduino 1.8.5, installed libraries:
LiquidCrystal 1.0.7
LiquidCrystal_I2C 1.1.2
Test sketch:
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display
void setup()
{
lcd.init(); // initialize the lcd
// Print a message to the LCD.
lcd.backlight();
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print(F(" Hello, world! "));
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print(F(" LCD - I2C 1602 "));
}
void loop()
{
}
At just under 3 kB it would fit on a 441 even. Hope this is useful for others as well.