Hilda Madsen
Encyclopedia
Hilda Chedomille Madsen was a British-American artist and dog breeder.
) and American mother (the Fay family of Bennington, Vermont). Her mother was an artist, and Hilda also studied art, graduating from the Sorbonne Art School in Paris.
Her mother remarried an Italian, and Hilda moved to Italy, where she became fluent in Italian (as well as French and English). She met her future husband, Viggo, a Danish ship communications officer, while both were touring the Vatican.
They married and moved to the United States in 1935, living in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where they raised their three sons.
, and over time became a leading breeder, founding Hilvig Kennels. In 1977, Time magazine described her as “the grand dame of Newfoundland dog breeders”, and a “revolutionary” in seeking to resolve the conflicting goals of the physical requirements of the show ring and the traditional attributes of a good working dog.
In 1968, she won a rare triple award at the US’s most prestigious show, the Westminster Kennel Club show in New York.
Early life
Born Hilda Chedomille Narracott in Belgium, to an English father (who died in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
) and American mother (the Fay family of Bennington, Vermont). Her mother was an artist, and Hilda also studied art, graduating from the Sorbonne Art School in Paris.
Her mother remarried an Italian, and Hilda moved to Italy, where she became fluent in Italian (as well as French and English). She met her future husband, Viggo, a Danish ship communications officer, while both were touring the Vatican.
They married and moved to the United States in 1935, living in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where they raised their three sons.
Dog breeding career
In 1960, Madsen got her first Newfoundland (dog)Newfoundland (dog)
The Newfoundland is a breed of large dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, or black and white. They were originally bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, now part of Canada. They are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions,...
, and over time became a leading breeder, founding Hilvig Kennels. In 1977, Time magazine described her as “the grand dame of Newfoundland dog breeders”, and a “revolutionary” in seeking to resolve the conflicting goals of the physical requirements of the show ring and the traditional attributes of a good working dog.
In 1968, she won a rare triple award at the US’s most prestigious show, the Westminster Kennel Club show in New York.
Art career
Madsen had several one-woman shows, and was best known for portraits and animal studies.Personal life
She married Viggo Madsen (born June 9, 1904), a Danish ship communications officer. They had three sons:- Eric Viggo Madsen (born October 12, 1936)
- Keith Madsen
- Alan Madsen
External links
- Hilda Madsen's 1934 British passport at PassportLand.com