Artist: Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) was a Scottish architect, designer, water colourist and sculptor. He was a designer in the Arts and Crafts movement and also the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He had a considerable influence on European design. He was born in Glasgow and he died in London.



From the moment I arrived in Scotland, I have loved his work. You can find it everywhere, and greatly if you know the right places to look. Though after some research, I was sad to learn he didn't achieve the success he had hoped in his own country. I was left feeling he had been greatly overlooked and forgotten by many for his contributions to his craft he loved so much. He worked wholeheartedly to share what he had to offer to the world, only to feel it had failed by the end of his life. After reading about his life, I felt a sense of melancholy for his feelings of self-defeat. For me, to gaze upon his work is like looking at gold, as are my feelings towards any loved art piece. There is so much more than below to fully understand his work, I could literally talk all day and then some on it. I've seen originals up close, sat in his designed tea houses, read books in the beautiful Glasgow School of Art and encourage anyone to do the same. I instantly feel as if I've stepped through a machine back to the decadent times of Art Nouveau, sipping tea and wearing gorgeous frocks with feathers in my hair whilst gazing intently at his works. The image of him working away intently with fire in his eyes, smell of woods, paints billowing in the air, then stepping back and smiling softly to himself for realising his vision. If you ever find yourself in the Glasgow way, one should find themselves visiting these to enjoy his work, The Hill House , The Mackintosh House , The Willow Tea Rooms , Ruchill Church Hall, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, The Mackintosh Church at Queen's Cross, Glasgow School of Art, The Lighthouse, Scotland Street School Museum, House For an Art Lover (which is one of my personal Favourites), Daily Record Building, Martyr's School.



Some of his work


Furniture:

Desk for the drawing Room.


High backed chair for a tea room in Glasgow. This was part of his first major furniture commission and high back design.


Architecture:



Facade of the world famous Mackintosh building at the Glasgow School of Art entrance.


The exterior for the House For An Art Lover (must see inside)


Panels:


The May Queen for Miss Cranston's Ingram St. Tea Rooms.

Textiles:

Table runner for the dining room.

Painter:



The Harvest Moon 1892. Watercolour. CRM.


The Tree of Personal Effort. 1896. Watercolor over pencil. CRM.


{All photos belong to their respected websites. All rights reserved. Used for display purposes only.}

33 comments

  1. Interesting style, he had!
    It is a bit sad that he didn't get recognition in his own country...
    Thanks for educating us, Kizzy!

    xx
    MV

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  2. Great photos!!
    I love "The Harvest Moon" painting!!!
    http://fashiondiarylooks4.blogspot.com

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  3. Oh thanks for the intro, sweetie! I had never heard of him but I'm loving his work. Especially that fabulous desk. How unique!

    Happy November to you :) xoxo

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  4. Great information if I ever visit Scotland I'd love to see them!!!!!!!
    Nice article!!!!!!!! Many kisses!!!

    julia-mylifeandthoughts.blogspot.com

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  5. Oh wow. I've never heard of this man before but his architectural work posted here looks absolutely amazing! The guy obviously was a very talented man!

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  6. I can't get over how incredible those chairs are!

    If you have time to stop by, I'm hosting a giveaway: http://style-obsession.blogspot.com/2011/10/win-it-50-novica-gift-card.html

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  7. those pictures are so vintage and inspiring dear! <3

    http://mithakomala.blogspot.com/

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  8. Beautiful art. Love the high back chair.

    Patience
    www.justpatience.com

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  9. Oh, the amount of research and work I had to do just on this man when I was studying spatial design... I do like his work though, thanks for reminding me. Thanks also for your lovely and supportive comment, I really appreciate it. xo

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  10. That desk is glorious! Thank you for the introduction dear!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  11. Well, we're loving his art now, aren't we? The A & C movement was so fabulous and changed the world really. Bravo to this man who helped strreamline the ways we live . . . .

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  12. Oh wooooooow, everything looks fantastic!

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  13. He is a great artic! wonderful article!

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  14. Really want to see the inside of House For An Art Lover.

    I never heard of him until now, thank you for writing about him! Very inspirational. x

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  15. I am so excited for many reasons by this post. First, I would love to know more about when you moved to Scotland? Before I moved to the beach, I was always thinking I wanted to move to Scotland, then I finally made peace with where I am now. When I do visit, I will go to all the places you mentioned, so thank you for that!

    My first job out of college I worked for a woman who ordered a Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair for her daughter's dorm room at Harvard. I was sick with envy! All these years later I still remember what an impression that made on me. His work is so beyond words!

    xo Mary Jo
    http://ON-PCH.com

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  16. Thank you for sharing this! I will definitely have to research more about Mackintosh. Have a great day!

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  17. Hey Kizzy! What a TALENT! Usually a person like that only paints, or only sculpts etc. But he painted, designed furniture, mastered architectured etc. He was EXTRAORDINARY! I love reading about people's lives. I always encourage others to know the story-behind-the-story. Most often it is sad, but I feel it is KEY to understanding and APPRECIATING a person's work. Thanks for this post and enlightment! Also thanks for your kind healing words. ((HUG))
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  18. Woah, this guy was seriously talented... and had quite the moustache!

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  19. Such unique architecture! I especially love the desk and the Glasgow School of Art entrance!

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  20. I love the fact that you share these artist that I've never heard about. I love the high backed chairs, especially the white one. Mmmm.


    Kisses !
    /U
    pug-a-licious

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  21. I have never heard of him before, but his designs are really pretty.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  22. i love looking at things that are so foreign to me like architecture!

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  23. 40 years ago my aunt did a study abroad program at the University of Glasgow! That picture was SO familiar!

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  24. I didn't know abiut this architect, I need to get more design culture.
    thanks for sharing

    Always following
    The Dolls Factory

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  25. Is it weird that through this entire post all i could think about was how neat his mustache was?

    Ha, weird.

    Summer-Raye

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  26. i love all his stuff... i've used it many times in projects!

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  27. i always learn something every time i'm here. thanks!

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  28. So genius! Love how the school of art is an old building but has been made modern!

    Love! ~Angel

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  29. great pics! love those songs! ♥

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