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.}