Charles Rennie Mackintosh is a man who has made a huge contribution to the development of design, the creator of a unique architectural style and the most striking figure in 19th century architecture.
The birth of a legend
The future founder of the Art Nouveau style was born into the family of a policeman in the city of Glasgow on June 7, 1868. It is noteworthy that the future great architect was born in the city, which is the cultural heritage of Scotland and, not being the capital, has a huge financial, business and cultural role. At the time of the birth of a child, no one could imagine that in a few decades he would become another famous person whom the city of Glasgow would be proud of. The first prerequisites for this appear at the age of 5 years, when the child devotes a lot of time to painting, and, in particular, painting flowers. Parents strongly supported the interest of Charles, and thanks to them he enters the art school, which specializes in his hobby.
Glasgow Style
Throughout the entire training period, the Macintosh tried to invent a new graphics language, unique, vivid and memorable. Thanks to this obsession, he constantly sketches the natural forms, patterns and all kinds of objects that catch his eye. After a while, he notices that his fellow practitioners have similar habits and hobbies, they are united in the Four group, together with which the “Glasgow style” will be developed, but the creative styles of each member of the group remain individual.
From this moment begins the development of joint work, various furniture, posters and other interior items. Charles Rennie Mackintosh enriches his creative world, adopts the style from other members of the group, and in 1895 he will make his first appearance at the art exhibition as a poster artist. However, he is also faithful to architectural creativity, unlike other members of the group who do not share his views.
First successes
In 1900, Mack Charles marries Margaret MacDonald. He will be in this marriage until the end of his life, for the sake of his beloved, he risks his work and his connections. The union turned out to be quite prolific, because his wife has a specialty as a stained glass artist and painter, and also has a wide range of interests. She becomes Charles's muse and together they create hundreds of interiors.
In the same year, Mack Charles attends an exhibition in Turin, which creates the pavilion of Scotland. Each member of the Four group receives an invitation to decorate a room at an exhibition in Vienna, which at that time was the forefront of the avant-garde. Exhibits on display get huge success and quickly find their customers. Prince of Russia Sergey Alexandrovich invites Mackintosh to Moscow. Glasgow is gaining momentum. Munich, Dresden, Budapest and many other cities recognize it as a style; great architects actively use it in their works. Charles takes part in the Moscow exhibition of architecture, at which he surprises the public and causes everyone to rave reviews full of emotions. The great architects of that time prophesied to him a wonderful creative future.
The heyday of creativity
Charles Mackintosh, whose biography is interesting to contemporaries, becomes the only member of the Four group who is seriously involved in architecture and has orders in Glasgow. 1890 - the heyday of the city in all plans. The city of Glasgow is becoming the commercial and business center of the country. This determines the development of a vibrant cultural life and the provision of opportunities for artists. The Macintosh is creating its first project, The Lighthouse, which is a special order from the local publisher.
Glasgow School of Art
Mackintosh’s career went up after the announcement of a competition for the Glasgow School of Art project, the winner of which was Charles Mackintosh. This work was simple and ordinary. Lack of money played a role in the construction, which was decided to split into two parts. The northern part opened in 1899, and the western one in 1907. It is precisely this time that becomes the most productive for an architect who also tries himself as a designer. Upon completion of construction, the difference between the two parts of the building becomes apparent, the later one turned out to be more progressive and “flashy”. The Mac is gaining a reputation as a talented artist.
Hill house
Success is on the heels of Charles, and in 1902 he begins designing his own Macintosh Hill House (“Hill House”). The location of the house was chosen perfectly: orientation to the cardinal points, organic placement on the landscape. Full control over the project, achieved through close acquaintance with customers, allowed us to conduct the most daring experiments. The patronage of Katherine Cranston, the owner of a network of tea establishments throughout the city, allowed her not to limit herself in finances. The Mac becomes the first to use stencils to decorate rooms. Hill House is the architect's most creative and mathematically thought-out project. The style obtained as a result was previously used only in the Macintosh spouses' house, where experiments were conducted with the placement, as well as the color scheme of the “male” and “female” rooms.
As planned by the architect, the first floor should be used only by ladies, men's rooms and other rooms intended for guests are higher. The de Luxe rooms are made in a unique style that organically fits into the overall concept of the design of the house. Spacious windows, a frieze made of colored glass and applied to white walls, lead glass used to make double doors with silver decorations, purple tones of armchairs and sofas with elegant high backs.
Rationalism of the author
Charles's talent lay in his ability to think over the architectural plan and design concept, along with all the small details of the operation of the object. It was thanks to the desire for maximum rationalism in his ideas that McIntosh Charles was interested in modern technologies and materials that he actively used in his work. Thanks to this, he became an innovator who was not afraid to combine concrete with cobblestone, use a mirror and steel, but his greatest achievement was the use of plastic in his works.
The baronial style, inherent in the medieval castles of Scotland, firmly stuck in the head of Mackintosh and it was he who was guided by when designing his works. The architecture of Italy and Greece, used in Scotland in his time, was not liked by the author, since, in his opinion, it was unsuitable for the local climate. Functionalism was successfully combined with the romantic images of buildings, thanks to which they became so beloved by the architect.
The end of the work of the great master
1914 is the year of depression due to the severance of partnership with Honeyman. A difficult period begins, giving rise to many rumors about the architect. Someone says that he drinks, someone says that he cannot find new customers because of his character. Charles did not communicate with anyone during this period and was thinking of moving to Vienna, because the possibilities of his homeland were exhausted, and his authority in Austria was significantly greater than in Glasgow. Plans collapse with the outbreak of World War II. Mack moves to Suffolk, where he creates a series of watercolor works. Because of his work, he is arrested on suspicion of espionage. After some time, he manages to defend his innocence, and he is forced to move to London.
The job search was unsuccessful due to the excessive ambitions of Charles Mackintosh, who was looking for a job that matches the status. The architectural world of London recognizes the "Glasgow School" as an outdated style and draws attention to the classics. Charles Rennie Mackintosh is engaged in design, furniture development, and carries out various orders for the design of fabric designs. But this could not continue further, and it was clear that we needed to do things that could bring more income and pleasure. Charles creates a series of chairs, designs watches, lamps, fireplaces and tables. His things are ahead of time, they are like lines that resemble the blow of a whip, geometric and functional, like the most daring modern solutions. His product line is gaining success, but he still does not have the ability to build, so he is creating a series of paintings.
Designer furniture by Charles Mackintosh
The chair model, known to this day, excites the minds of many people who bought a Macintosh chair. The very high back, straight legs and trapezoidal seats give the impression of something old and extremely stylish. Despite this, the chair is extremely simple: a carpentry with a straightforward design. Refinement and elaboration of the smallest details are the key to the sophistication of the final product. The game with the color, material and natural qualities of wood has left an indelible mark on history. To this day, these pieces of furniture are popular.
The Last Years of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
The disappointments of the architect are becoming more and more, the 20th year gives the development of German architecture, while the Macintosh style is obsolete, the most important works of the master are no longer interested in the public. Charles moves to the south of France, where he will spend the last years of his life before passing away in London in 1928.
The disappointments of the architect Charles Mackintosh were great, and during his lifetime he did not receive the great response he deserved. Many of his works are relevant today, some are used, others are cultural assets of the country. Furniture made according to his designs has high sales rates, and his design methods are actively used in the modern world. As often happens, fame and recognition found its owner only after his death. Today it is one of the most outstanding personalities in the history of architecture.