Sven Vilhem Nykvist (1922–2006) was a Swedish cinematographer renowned for his naturalistic lighting and intimate visual storytelling, especially in his collaborations with Ingmar Bergman. His work revolutionized cinematography, earning him two Academy Awards.
Born in Moheda, Sweden, he studied photography before joining Sandrews Studios in 1941. His first cinematography work came in 1945, but his breakthrough was Bergman’s Gycklarnas afton (1953; Sawdust and Tinsel.) From the 1960s onward, he became Bergman’s regular cinematographer, crafting iconic visuals in Jungfrukällan (1960; The Virgin Spring,) Persona (1966,) Viskningar och rop (1972; Cries and Whispers,) and Fanny och Alexander (1982; Fanny and Alexander,) the latter two earning him Academy Awards for Best Cinematography.
Beyond Bergman, Nykvist worked with Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Louis Malle, and Andrei Tarkovsky, contributing to Den obärbara lättheten (1988; The Unbearable Lightness of Being,) Brott och förseelser (1989; Crimes and Misdemeanors,) and Offret (1986; The Sacrifice.) His final film, Curtain Call (1998,) marked the end of his career.
Nykvist also authored Vördnad för ljuset (1997; Reverence for the Light,) reflecting on his approach to light and composition.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Sven Nykvist
Light can be gentle, dangerous, dreamlike, bare, living, dead, misty, clear, hot, dark, violet, springlike, falling, straight, sensual, limited, poisonous, calm and soft.
—Sven Nykvist
Topics: Light
Leave a Reply