Markús Kristinn Ívarsson was born on September 8, 1884. He learned blacksmithing in Eyrarbakki and studied mechanical engineering at the Navigation School in Reykjavík from 1912 to 1913. After graduating, he worked as an engineer on trawlers and cargo ships until 1920, when he began machine work on land. This background undoubtedly played a major role in the development of Héðinn. For a long time, Icelandic fisheries had depended on foreign workshops, as nearly everything had to be procured abroad. Through the initiative of Markús and the men of Héðinn, this was remedied. The company placed emphasis on serving the fishing industry, both in line with the growing level of technology and the mechanization of the fleet, as well as by designing various new machines and equipment for the fish processing industry in the country.

Markús was exceptionally well connected and widely liked. The company’s repair work and the manager’s skill were often of great benefit, earning him many friends among seamen, not least the engineers, who placed great trust in him. Frequently, especially at the start of the fishing seasons, work continued through the night in the smithy to serve the vessels. On several occasions, Markús took the lead in salvaging stranded ships and recovering valuables from wrecks—tasks well suited to his character, ambition, and resourcefulness.

Markús was married to his childhood sweetheart, Kristín Andrésdóttir (1885–1969) from Meðalholt in Gaulverjabær parish, who also sat on the board of Héðinn after her husband’s death and took part in cultural activities as Markús had done. He was renowned as a friend of the arts and a collector, from which many artists benefited.

After the death of Bjarni Þorsteinsson, Markús Ívarsson managed the company alone, but in 1941 it was converted into a limited company, and Sveinn Guðmundsson, an engineer and Markús’s son-in-law, was appointed managing director.

Markús Ívarsson passed away on August 23, 1943, by which time the company had become one of the largest and best-known industrial enterprises in the country. The daughters he had with Kristín were: Guðrún Markúsdóttir (1916–1992), Kristín Helga Markúsdóttir (1918–1971), and Sigrún Markúsdóttir Möller (1921–2003).

Quick-thinking workman

Many stories were told of the ingenuity of Markús Ívarsson and his quick reactions. On one occasion, he and Kjartan Jónsson—who worked continuously at Héðinn for 54 years, from 1924—were working together inside a ship’s boiler.

It so happened that Markús needed to grease upwards into some holes there. It then became clear that the two of them only had with them an oil can that could be poured from, but not sprayed. The situation was tricky. "How the hell are we supposed to get this in?" asked Markús. "Well, I don’t know," replied Kjartan, at a loss. Without a second thought, Markús grabbed the oil can, full of oil, and took a gulp. He then spat the oil upward into the holes in a thin stream. As so often before, he was quicker to act than to think—but to him this was nothing remarkable, and much faster than running back to the workshop for a spray can.

Markús made most of his trips around Reykjavík by bicycle. Neighbors recalled often seeing him walking alongside his bike, carrying a painting laid across the footrest, frequently chatting with acquaintances as they paused together to admire the artwork.

An Artist in a Blacksmith’s Disguise

Markús Ívarsson was not only a passionate admirer of art but also a friend and benefactor of numerous artists—and an important figure in the cultural life of his time, which received only minimal support from public authorities during his lifetime. All the more important, therefore, was the support he gave to art and artists.
Many also felt that his own dreams had been to become an artist, though the machine workshop prevailed. In a memorial poem by Grétar Fell, it was said in Icelandic:

Og því mun listamannslundin gljúpa
við leiði þitt i anda krjúpa,
og þakka góðhug, þakka mildi
þess, er málarans drauma skildi.
En sjálfur muntu sjá og finna
nýtt svigrúm listadrauma þinna,
og hrifinn nýja heimsmynd skoða,
hjúpaða sól og morgunroða.

A Generous Gift to the National Gallery of Iceland

When the National Gallery of Iceland opened to the public in the summer of 1951, Markús’s widow and their three daughters donated numerous artworks from his collection—around sixty pieces by twenty painters, created between 1915 and 1943. Among these works are many of the Gallery’s treasures that have frequently been exhibited, and the collection as a whole has been shown at least twice, in 1966 and 1977.

Several of Markús’s friends decided to honor his memory by establishing a memorial fund. A press release stated, among other things: ‘Markús Ívarsson was a great friend of art and artists. For many years he had purchased a large number of various artworks, and he intended to continue that work if age allowed. His art collection is unique in this country, and his helpfulness and kindness toward artists were exceptional. Those who are behind the establishment of this fund therefore felt that there could be no better way to honor this remarkable friend of the arts than to attempt to continue his work by purchasing artworks, while at the same time ensuring that the works would be preserved in a safe place. From the forthcoming fund, a certain sum will be allocated each year for the purchase of artworks. The works thus acquired will be donated in full ownership to the National Gallery of Iceland

Stofnskrá sjóðsins var afar ströng og krafðist aðkomu ráðuneyta sem breyttu með tíð og tíma um nöfn og hlutverk. Varð framkvæmd upprunalegu hugmyndarinnar því flóknari en til var stofnað. Niðurstaðan varð eftir langa mæðu að forráðamenn Héðins fengu heimild til að ánafna Vélskóla Íslands sjóðnum. Var hann afhentur til tækjakaupa árið 2015.

Exhibition in Memory of Markús

In 1944, the year when Iceland became indipendant, an exhibition of 156 artworks was held in memory of Markús, who had passed away the previous year. The works were by Ásgrímur Jónsson, Ásmundur Sveinsson, Barbara Árnason, Brynjólfur Þórðarson, Einar Jónsson, Eyjólfur J. Eyfells, Finnur Jónsson, Gunnlaugur Blöndal, Guðmundur Thorsteinsson, Gunnlaugur Scheving, Jóhannes S. Kjarval, Jón Engilberts, Jón Stefánsson, Snorri Arinbjarnar, Þórarinn B. Þorláksson, and Þorvaldur Skúlason, but Markús also owned works by many other Icelandic artists.