Rare Photos of Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen)

I've noticed on my blog stats lots of people who find this blog do so because they're looking for Karen Blixen, which makes me quite happy as she well deserves the attention, but on the other hand I don't have so much posted about her - a few pictures, quotes, and a few stories about my own personal discovery of Dinesen as an author.

Here are some other posts for Karen Blixen in case you weren't able to find them:

http://lafemmeflaneuse.blogspot.com/2011/06/updates-karen-blixen.html
http://lafemmeflaneuse.blogspot.com/2010/07/isak-dinesen-africa-and-lions.html
http://lafemmeflaneuse.blogspot.com/2009/02/on-pain.html

Now the pictures I'm posting today are all from a little book I found at a library sale printed by Phoenix, an imprint of the University of Chicago press. At one point Dinesen and the University of Chicago must have had an agreement because aside from my first editions, I have reading copies of all of Dinesen's works from the UC press, but "The Life and Destiny of Isak Dinesen" was a seriously wonderful find.

It contains more than two hundred photographs from Karen's artistocratic ancestors to the very last days of her life. I chose a few I thought might be the most interesting and convinced Monsieur Redacteur to scan them for me because I hate scanning.

Unknown to many, Karen was a very gifted artist as you can see from the portrait she painted of her manservant Farah (whom she treated with great respect and affection).

Karen with her sketchbook in Kullen, July 15, 1907. She was at this time studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Karen at her desk and her bedroom in Kenya.

Karen and Bror in the study.

Karen with her pet owl that met a sad end as it tried to eat the cord on a curtain.

Now one of the best parts of the book? Well since it was used it came with an inscription -

Barbara,

No matter what happens in our lives it's good. Everything is for our benefit. Some things are better than others. You are one of the best. Thank for sharing your laughter and love with me!

Mark

And then just a page afterwards, a quote from Karen herself; a facsimile of her own writing and signature and the English translation of the words -

We must leave our mark on life while we have it in our power, lest it should close up, when we leave it, without a trace

Karen Blixen

When I give a book as a present I always inscribe it unless it's a rare or first edition book (then I write the inscription on a beautiful card and give the receiver the choice of having me inscribe the words into the book if they would like) and I could never imagine giving away a book that had been inscribed to me, but here it's quite a touching glimpse because it fits.

Karen Blixen was a woman who trials and tribulations managed still to live an excitingly beautiful and vivid life. She also wrote great books. I can say without reservation I have never read her words without pleasure.

She has been a great inspiration to me and if she's a great inspiration to you, I hope you enjoy the pictures and check out the book.