Bodil Hauschildt facts for kids
Bodil Hauschildt (1861–1951) was an important early Danish photographer. She opened her own photography studio in Ribe in 1880. Besides taking many portraits, she is well-known for her photos of the city and its beautiful surroundings.
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Growing Up in Ribe
Bodil Hauschildt was born in Ribe, Denmark, on October 9, 1861. Her father, Jess Møler Hauschildt, was a grocer. Sadly, he passed away when he was only 29 years old. Bodil then lived with her mother, Karen, and her two sisters. They stayed at a special home for mothers who had lost their husbands.
Bodil went to Miss Guldberg's school in Ribe. After finishing school, she worked as an au pair. This means she helped families with childcare and housework. She worked first near Randers and then in Kolding.
Starting Her Photography Career
Bodil always loved drawing and painting. This interest led her to photography. She learned the art from Mathilde Bruun, a photographer in Ribe. Mathilde taught Bodil all about the photography business.
Bodil also learned from Sophus Juncker-Jensen. He was a photographer who had studied in Paris. He later opened his own studio in Copenhagen.
Opening Her Own Studio
In 1890, Bodil Hauschildt took over Mathilde Bruun's studio. It was located on Alléen ved Kirkegaarden. Around 1896, she moved to a bigger studio on Dagmarsgade. This new space gave her more room to work.
In 1904, something very special happened. King Christian IX visited Ribe. He was there for the opening of the newly fixed cathedral. During his visit, Bodil Hauschildt was named a court photographer. This was a great honor! Her photos of the royal family and the cathedral were even printed in a famous newspaper called Illustreret Tidende.
Travels and New Ideas
Around 1908, Bodil moved to Aarhus. She opened another studio there. During this time, she traveled to Rome, Italy. She met other photographers there and got new ideas.
When she came back to Denmark, she spent more time in Aarhus. But in 1920, she returned to Ribe. She reopened her photography business there. Her time in Rome had a big impact on her. She decorated her Ribe studio in an Italian style. She added pillars, castle-like walls, and special tiles to the outside.
Bodil's Unique Photography Style
Bodil Hauschildt was known for more than just portraits. She also photographed and painted many scenes in and around Ribe. She often worked with Stephan Ussing, a local painter.
You can easily spot Bodil's photos. She had a very unique style. She often used unusual angles and experimented with lighting. She photographed everything interesting in Ribe. She left behind about 2,000 photo plates, which are like old-fashioned negatives. These show us what Ribe looked like long ago.
Around 1922, Bodil hired her friend Anna Bøysen. Anna took over running the studio in 1939. Bodil still kept an eye on the business. She passed away on Christmas Eve in 1951.
