Charles Rennie Mackintosh: Architect, artist and designer

Arts and Crafts

The Jugendstil and Art Nouveau art styles emerged from the Arts and Crafts movement. The movement arose in response to industrialisation and the mass production that accompanied it, and aimed to bring art and craftsmanship together.

Mackintosh, together with three other artists, founded the artists’ group The Four, also known as The Glasgow Four. The Glasgow Four were inspired by Celtic mysticism, the linear work of Jan Toorop, and also by Scottish Neo-Gothic architecture (source: architectenweb.nl). This diversity of sources of inspiration makes Mackintosh’s work impressive, unique and of timeless class.

Interior designer

From furniture to lighting and wallpaper, the interior designs by Mackintosh and his wife were worked out in minute detail. Stylised forms, often combined with elegant vertical lines, are characteristic of Mackintosh’s work. The ‘Mackintosh Rose’ has become world-famous for its simple yet striking design.

Notable Buildings

Glasgow is home to magnificent architectural works designed by Mackintosh from top to bottom. A recurring motif in Mackintosh’s work was the rosebud. His famous artwork ‘The Wassail’ can safely be called iconic. The stylised plaster relief, featuring elongated figures and floral motifs, was designed in 1900 by Mackintosh and his wife Margaret to decorate the renowned Ingram Street Tea Rooms in Glasgow. The title ‘The Wassail’ refers to the feast traditionally held on Halloween at the end of the harvest season. 

The Art Nouveau figurine modelled on ‘The Wassail’ is perfect for adding a stunning touch to your interior! This piece of art also served as the inspiration for the Wassail lamps by Art Deco Trade. Exclusive and truly unique! And how about a watch whose silver lines reflect Mackintosh’s stylised elliptical forms?

At Antiek Stijl Webshop, you’ve come to the right place for the eccentric Mackintosh style!