Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Introduction to Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (7 June
1868 10 December 1928).
A Scottish architect, designer, water
colourist and artist.
He was a designer in the post
impressionist movement and also the
main representative of Art Nouveau in
the United Kingdom.
He had considerable influence on
European design. He was born in
Glasgow and he died in London.
Timeline
1868 Charles Rennie Mackintosh is born in 1903 Designed the Willow Tea Rooms
Glasgow on June 07 inSauchiehallStreet for Miss Cranston
1884 Charles Rennie Mackintosh joins the 1904 Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs the
Glasgow School of Art where also meets chancel furniture in Holy Trinity Church,
his future wife Margaret Bridge of Allan
1889 Charles Rennie Mackintosh joins the firm 1904 Charles Rennie Mackintosh becomes a
ofHoneymanandKeppie partner ofHoneymanandKeppie
1896 Charles Rennie Mackintosh wins 1907- The second section of the Glasgow
competition to design new art school 1909 School of Art is built
1897- The first section of the new Glasgow 1914 Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret
1899 School of Art is built move to Suffolk
1900 Charles Rennie Mackintosh marries 1916 Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs 78
Margaret Macdonald Derngate in Northampton
1901 Competition entry "Haus eines 1923- Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife
Kunstfreundes" (House of an Art lover) 1927 Margaret live in Port Vendres, France
1902- The Hill House inHelensburghis built 1928 Charles Rennie Mackintosh dies in
1904 London on Dec 10
Context/Background
Mackintosh was apprenticed to a local architect, John Hutchinson, and attended evening classes at the Glasgow
School of Art. In 1889 he joined the firm of Honeyman and Keppie, becoming a partner in 1904.
In collaboration with three other students, one of whom, Margaret Macdonald, became his wife in 1900,
Mackintosh achieved an international reputation in the 1890s as a designer of unorthodox posters, craftwork,
and furniture. In contrast to contemporary fashion his work was light, elegant, and original, as exemplified by
four remarkable tearooms he designed in Glasgow (18961904) and other domestic interiors of the early
1900s.
Mackintoshs chief architectural projects were the Glasgow School of Art (18961909), considered the first
original example of Art Nouveau architect in Great Britain; two unrealized projectsthe 1901 International
exhibition, Glasgow (1898), and HauseinesKunstfreundes (1901);Windyhill,Kilmacolm(18991901), and Hill
House,Helensburgh(1902); the Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow (1904); and Scotland Street School (190406).
Although all have some traditional characteristics, they reveal a mind of exceptional inventiveness and aesthetic
perception. By 1914 he had virtually ceased to practice and thereafter devoted himself to watercolour painting.
Although Mackintosh was nearly forgotten for several decades, the late 20th century saw a revival of interest in
his work. The stark simplicity of his furniture designs, in particular, appealed to contemporary taste, and
reproductions of Mackintosh chairs and settees began to be manufactured. The Mackintosh House in Glasgow
was reconstructed and opened to the public as a museum in the late 1970s.
Style
Mackintoshs designs broke with the prevailing Glaswegian taste for buildings in a
classical style.
His works depend on the context of the building for how they are designed. They are
commonly described as: asymmetrical, sculptural, playful restrained Art Nouveau
ornamentation.
Commonly Mackintoshs buildings has heavy stonework or roughcast finish.
He commonly has subtle ornamentation on his buildings, based on abstraction natural
motifs with curved and flowing lines.
Mackintosh was also influenced by Japanese art and design. Clearly portraying the
essence of this type of design; simplicity, serenity, and spaciousness.
Significant Buildings
The Glasgow The Willow Tea
School of Art; Rooms; 1903
1898-1909

The Hill House; The Mackintosh House;

1902-04 1906-14