Rigmor Mydtskov
Encyclopedia
Rigmor Mydtskov was a Danish
court photographer who is remembered for her portraits of artists performing in Danish theatres but especially for her many portraits of Queen Margrethe
and other members of the Danish royal family.
. In 1937, the family moved to Copenhagen where her father, who had taken photographs at the Royal Theatre
since 1930, opened a studio in Store Kongensgade. Rigmor became an apprentice with her father, specializing in portraits. She did not like school very much and disappeared into the darkroom. In 1944, he completed her training as a portrait photographer and copyist.
It was in the theatre that she learnt about the human character, photography and decor. Her theatre photographs were often taken during actual performances, revealing additional intensity and action. She worked with great concentration and without interruption. "The photographer's place is in the third row," she would say. Among her best-known theatre photographs are the actors Poul Reument and Bodil Kjer
(1955) and the ballet dancer Anna Lærkesen (1963). But she also photographed Bodil Ipsen
, Clara Pontoppidan
, Mogens Wieth
, Ebbe Rode
, Ghita Nørby
, Jørgen Reenberg
, Lise Ringheim
, Henrik Moritzen, Erik Mørk
and Susse Wold
. Last but not least she left us living records of Stig Lommer, Victor Borge
and Osvald Helmuth
.
For a short period in 1952, she worked as a still photographer for film director Johan Jacobsen at Flamingo Film. In 1962, she married Steen Rønne, a gifted artistic photographer, who helped her further develop her skills.
In 1963, she was contacted by Princess Margrethe who arranged an appointment. It was the beginning of a long relationship which, in 1988, lead to the title of Photographer for Her Majesty the Queen.
Later Rigmor Mydtskov and Rønne moved their studio to Badstuestræde. After her divorce in 1975, it became her own studio.
Taking photographs of the queen was a challenge for Rigmor as she realized every portrait would be historic. Realizing that people in such positions tend to act as if they were masked, she sought to portray the person behind the mask, although she often succeeded in maintaining a little of the secrecy. As a portrait photographer, she was gentle, intuitive and confident. Her life's work is a result of a constant, concentrated effort.
.
In 1991, she presented "Portraits of a Queen" at the Auktionshuet Bukowski and in 1997, participated in the travelling exhibition Selskaber (Companies).
Apart from official photographs taken in her capacity as Royal Photographer, Mydtskov has left definitive portraits of most of Denmark’s 20th century personalities. She untiringly spent hours explaining to her subjects how to present themselves in their most natural yet expressive postures.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
court photographer who is remembered for her portraits of artists performing in Danish theatres but especially for her many portraits of Queen Margrethe
Margrethe II of Denmark
Margrethe II is the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Denmark. In 1972 she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margaret I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries in 1375-1412 during the Kalmar Union.-Early life:...
and other members of the Danish royal family.
Early life
Born in Copenhagen, she spent her childhood in Helsingør where her father, Hans Julius Mydtskov, was also a photographer. Her Swedish mother, Mary Edit Nerman, had been a nurse in LundLund
-Main sights:During the 12th and 13th centuries, when the town was the seat of the archbishop, many churches and monasteries were built. At its peak, Lund had 27 churches, but most of them were demolished as result of the Reformation in 1536. Several medieval buildings remain, including Lund...
. In 1937, the family moved to Copenhagen where her father, who had taken photographs at the Royal Theatre
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
since 1930, opened a studio in Store Kongensgade. Rigmor became an apprentice with her father, specializing in portraits. She did not like school very much and disappeared into the darkroom. In 1944, he completed her training as a portrait photographer and copyist.
Professional career
In 1954, she began working little by little as a theatre photographer, first substituting for her brother Jørgen, finally taking over his position when he retired in 1972. Her empathy and artistic approach helped her in her theatre work, an area which had always fascinated her. In addition to her assignments at the Royal Theatre, she also worked in many other Copenhagen theatres.It was in the theatre that she learnt about the human character, photography and decor. Her theatre photographs were often taken during actual performances, revealing additional intensity and action. She worked with great concentration and without interruption. "The photographer's place is in the third row," she would say. Among her best-known theatre photographs are the actors Poul Reument and Bodil Kjer
Bodil Kjer
Bodil Kjer was a Danish actress whose talent and charisma earned her status as a Primadonna and the title of first lady of Danish theater...
(1955) and the ballet dancer Anna Lærkesen (1963). But she also photographed Bodil Ipsen
Bodil Ipsen
Bodil Ipsen was a Danish actress and film director, and is considered one of the great stars of Danish cinematic history. Her acting career, which began in theater and silent films, was marked by leading roles in large folk comedies and melodramas...
, Clara Pontoppidan
Clara Pontoppidan
-External links:*...
, Mogens Wieth
Mogens Wieth
Mogens Wieth was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 27 films between 1940 and 1962.He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in London, England.-Selected filmography:* Som sendt fra himlen...
, Ebbe Rode
Ebbe Rode
-Filmography:*Tango - 1933*Provinsen kalder - 1935*Millionærdrengen - 1936*Den kloge mand - 1937*Balletten danser - 1938*Frøken Vildkat - 1942*Lykken kommer - 1942*Afsporet - 1942*Søren Søndervold - 1942...
, Ghita Nørby
Ghita Nørby
Ghita Nørby is a popular Danish actress with 117 film credits to her name from 1956-2005, making her one of the most active Danish actresses ever. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to opera singer Einar Nørby...
, Jørgen Reenberg
Jørgen Reenberg
Jørgen Reenberg is a Danish film actor. He has appeared in 30 films since 1948.He was born in Denmark. He is the brother of Danish film director Annelise Reenberg.-Selected filmography:* We Want a Child!...
, Lise Ringheim
Lise Ringheim
Lise Ringheim was a Danish film actress. She appeared in 37 films between 1943 and 1993.She was born in Frederiksberg, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Selected filmography:...
, Henrik Moritzen, Erik Mørk
Erik Mørk
Erik Mørk was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 29 films between 1950 and 1993. He won the Bodil Award for Best Actor in 1950 for his performance in Susanne....
and Susse Wold
Susse Wold
Susse Wold is a stage and screen actress whose career has spanned five decades. Born Lise Wold in Denmark, she is the daughter of actress Marguerite Viby. She quickly became a leading lady at the Det Kongelige Teater . In addition to her many TV, film and stage roles, Wold has toured the world...
. Last but not least she left us living records of Stig Lommer, Victor Borge
Victor Borge
Victor Borge ,born Børge Rosenbaum, was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as The Clown Prince of Denmark,The Unmelancholy Dane,and The Great Dane.-Early life and career:...
and Osvald Helmuth
Osvald Helmuth
Osvald Helmuth was a Danish stage and film actor and revue singer.-Biography:HIs career began in Randers in 1913, and he later appeared in the Nørrebro Teater in Copenhagen...
.
For a short period in 1952, she worked as a still photographer for film director Johan Jacobsen at Flamingo Film. In 1962, she married Steen Rønne, a gifted artistic photographer, who helped her further develop her skills.
In 1963, she was contacted by Princess Margrethe who arranged an appointment. It was the beginning of a long relationship which, in 1988, lead to the title of Photographer for Her Majesty the Queen.
Later Rigmor Mydtskov and Rønne moved their studio to Badstuestræde. After her divorce in 1975, it became her own studio.
Taking photographs of the queen was a challenge for Rigmor as she realized every portrait would be historic. Realizing that people in such positions tend to act as if they were masked, she sought to portray the person behind the mask, although she often succeeded in maintaining a little of the secrecy. As a portrait photographer, she was gentle, intuitive and confident. Her life's work is a result of a constant, concentrated effort.
Exhibitions
Rigmor Mydtskov exhibited on countless occasions, both in Denmark and abroad. The first exhibition was in 1955 together with her father and her broth Jørgen. In 1975, she participated at the Danish Museum of Art & Design. In 1985, she had her own exhibition at Magasin du Nord and, in 1989, the 150th anniversary of photography, her participated in the Photographers see themselves exhibition in the RundetårnRundetårn
The Rundetårn is a 17th-century tower located in central Copenhagen, Denmark. One of the many architectural projects of Christian IV, it was built as an astronomical observatory...
.
In 1991, she presented "Portraits of a Queen" at the Auktionshuet Bukowski and in 1997, participated in the travelling exhibition Selskaber (Companies).
Overall assessment
In connection with her being appointed an honorary member of the Dansk Fotografisk Forening in 1995, it was stated that "her attitude shows that she not only earns a living from her profession but lives and breathes photography." Rigmor Mydtskov took the initiative to arrange many photographic exhibitions, often as external examiner or judge. In 1990, she presented Danish photographers in a series on Danish television.Apart from official photographs taken in her capacity as Royal Photographer, Mydtskov has left definitive portraits of most of Denmark’s 20th century personalities. She untiringly spent hours explaining to her subjects how to present themselves in their most natural yet expressive postures.
Awards
- Kunsthåndværkerrådets Årspris 1988
- Knight of the Order of the DannebrogOrder of the DannebrogThe Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
1990 - Bindesbøll Medaillen 1992
- Honorary Member of Dansk Fotografisk ForeningDansk Fotografisk ForeningThe Dansk Fotografisk Forening or Danish Photographers Association is a non-profit organization for photographers who earn a living from photography. Since 1879, it has been supporting professional photography and assisting its members....
1995
Sources
- This article draws heavily on Rigmor Mydtskov's biography at Dansk Kvindebiografisk Leksikon.