Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
From 20 June to 23 June 1865, Tilemann took a series of portraits of Hans Christian Andersen for a very special prupose. Andersen later recounted in a letter to the Collin family: "For the benefit of fire victims in Nørresundby, a committee of ladies at Frijsenborg Manor arranged a bazaar at Hinnerup Station..."
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
"...among other things, the Countess gave out over 50 portrait cards of me and I wrote a piece of verse or prose on them from my writings. The portraits went furiously of which there could easily have been twice as many, writes the Countess. I enclose one herein so that you may see the manner of inscription."
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
"Musikens Toner, Ungdoms glade Dands, En Verden i et Frø og i en Stjerne, Selv Graven med sin visne Blomsterkrands, Vort Hjerts Higen mod et ukjendt Fjerne, Mit Liv og hvad jeg fandt deri, Er Poesi!" ("The sounds of music, the happy dance of youth, A world within a seed or a star, The grave itself with its withered wreath of flowers, The longing of our hearts for what is unfamiliar and far, My life and all that came to me, Is poetry!") Hans Christian Andersen.
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, June 1865.
Hans Christian Andersen reads aloud for the ladies of Frijsenborg.
There were also outdoor shots. Due to lighting conditions, people still could not take photographs inside. Therefore, it was commonplace to carry a few pieces of the furniture outside in order to provide the illusion of domestic comfort in the open.
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 29 June 1865.
Hans Christian Andersen on the stairs at Frijsenborg.
A series of poses were attempted on the stairs of the manor. Andersen sent the results to the Collins for comment. Mrs. Collins comment revealed an understanding of the essentials, which must have pleased him: "The little picture on the stairs I do not care for and why are there so many of them? I think the many walls and stony surroundings seem to disrupt the primary focus which is, of course, Hans Christian Andersen."
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 28 June 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 28 June 1865.
On 9 July 1865, Hans Christian Andersen wrote in a letter to Mrs. Collin: "Of the many photographs you have of me, I will add yet another to your husbands collection, which depicts me as Gulliver, your husband will forgive me if it is spelled a bit wrong..." The couple replied in unison first, Edvard Collin: "The photograph that arrived today is, in my opinion, the best as a portrait." And his wife seconded: "I find the large portrait to be very good it is a good likeness, very vibrant and warm."
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 28 June 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 28 June 1865.
From Hans Christian Andersens diary entry dated 28 June 1865: "Two photographs of me, taken from the back, just before dinner; I am standing in the garden and have flowers in one hand, while plucking honeysuckle with the other. I am standing in one with a hat and in the other without. Was given 30 photographs of myself."
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 28 June 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 15 July 1865.
Once Hans Christian Andersen arrived safely back at Frijsenborg after an eight day detour through the surrounding area, Tilemann got him in front of the camera once again this time, apparently, for pleasure and they both pulled out the stops. First, an exuberant Andersen swinging his hat, almost like Clumsy Hans of the fairy tale, Hello, here I come!
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 15 July 1865.
Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 15 July 1865.
With his final picture of Andersen, Henrik Tilemann produced a masterpiece of portrait photography: It is a monumental and wonderful picture of Hans Christian Andersen as a wizard in a top hat. Andersen himself was so pleased with the picture that he had several copies made of it and cut it out as a half-length portrait, pasting it on his own letter paper.
Photo by: Henrik Tilemann, Frijsenborg, 15 July 1865.
Georg E. Hansen, Copenhagen, January 1866.
There is a clear difference in the quality of the photographic portraits taken of Hans Christian Andersen after his sessions with Henrik Tilemann at Frijsenborg. This gifted amateur quite simply taught Andersen how to sit as a model for a photograph. In Georg E. Hansens beautiful, relaxed shots from January 1866, he poses with an expression of a quiet, inner amusement. This may be due to a pleasant, little intermezzo during the shots. Andersen wrote in his diary: "Was with the photographer Hansen; while I was sitting, Ole Bull arrived. He immediately began to play, which produced such a variety of expressions on my face that I had to sit again after Ole Bull and his party were removed." It was probably the only time the world-famous violinist was ever thrown out after performing a number.
Photo by: Georg E. Hansen, Copenhagen, January 1866.
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