Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Nobody, before or since, displayed so complete a vision when it came todesign than Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He was an architect so concerned withdetail that he could not simply design a building, he had to design itsfurniture, soft furnishings and interior decoration as well. His approach todesign was truly holistic

Though he was born in Glasgow in 1868 his work could never be described as Victorian, for he was a pioneer in the Modern movement, with designs that lookas fresh today as they did a hundred years ago.

The influences of theEnglish Arts and Crafts movement can be seen in his use of symbolism, look atthe repetition of the rose and dove in his designs, but he favouredfunctionality, avoiding art for art's sake, so that his furniture had asimplicity that could not be found in the work of his contemporaries. Form andfunction were far more important than the mechanics of production and ease ofuse took precendence over technical prowess.

This high back chair isone of his most recognisable designs, originally created for Miss Cranston'sWillow Tearooms in Glasgow, a show case for the Mackintosh vision, withbeautiful stained glass panels, lanterns and decorative iron work.You can stilltry out the comfort of the design for yourself in the reconstructed Room deLuxe, Willow Tearooms, 199 Sauchiehall St.

Some of the best examples of Rennie Mackintosh's work can be found inhis home town of Glasgow.

Scotland Street School, seen here, and TheGlasgow School of Art show his vision. With their tall windows, expanses ofstone and brick and geometric patterns they are solid and functional butstylish.

Their powerful sturdiness from the outside is contrasted withthe spacious, light interiors designed for people and enhancing their work andplay.

The Mackinstosh home has been beautifully reconstructed in the Hunterian ArtGallery at the University of Glasgow.

There you can see the effect ofhis creamy interiors, the white on white, the pale carpets and the delicate wallhangings.

Rooms are simple and uncluttered but his minimalism is neverstark or bare. The effect is relaxing and calming.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was as talented an illustrator and painter as hewas designer and architect.

His poster designs and illustrations havean Art Noveau feel, but with a simpler, Japanese twist and his work had none ofthe decadence of the aesthetic movement as exemplified by Oscar Wilde andBeardsley.

Examples of his coloured lithographs can be seen at theHunterian Art Gallery and the Glasgow School of Art.

This design for astencilled wall decoration created in 1896 for the Buchanan Street tearooms canbe seen at the Hunterian Gallery.

The stencilled ladies were six foottall and lined the walls of the ladies tearoom, causing quite a stir at thetime.

The design is similar to some of his wife, Margaret's work, andher wall hangings can also be seen at the Hunterian.