The Legend of the Blackthorns
Artist

Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh and the Glasgow Four

sleeping princess
sleeping princess

Scottish artist Margaret Mackintosh was born 157 years ago on November 5, 1864. She became a prominent representative of Art Nouveau and the creator of the Celtic trend, also known as the Glasgow style. Her influence can be seen in the fine arts, graphic design and interior design.

Margaret mac panel
Margaret mac panel

Creation of the Glasgow Fours

Margaret and her younger sister Frances (Frances MacDonald McNair) came from a family of mining engineers and lived comfortably. Already in adulthood, they settled in Glasgow, where they began to attend a local art school and opened their own art studio. There they met future husbands who were a year older. The four young people understood each other perfectly, were equally inspired by the Celtic culture and soon began to exhibit together. They called their group simply: “The Four” (The Four).

The first exhibition of the “Four” was not successful: critics did not appreciate the foggy work and called the group “School of Ghosts”. But gradually the artists gained fame, improved their skills and received more and more orders. The year 1900 was special for Margaret, when she married Charles Mackintosh and presented her work with him at the Vienna Secession. They caused a sensation, in addition to the already mentioned Klimt, the work of the Scots was highly appreciated by Josef Hoffman.

Margaret McDonald. Heart of a Rose, 1901
Heart of a Rose, 1901

The popularity of the “Four” lasted until the First World War, and then began its decline.

Charles Mackintosh corresponded with German artists and was arrested on suspicion of espionage. Then they let him go, but the damaged reputation led to the loss of customers. A little later, Francis dies, and her husband gives up art.

The Legend of the Blackthorns
The Legend of the Blackthorns

But the most difficult thing for the Mackintoshes was the fact that Art Nouveau was gradually going out of fashion and the public fell in love with the classics again. For some time, the couple’s main income was commissions for illustrations received by Margaret. And when her failing health forced her to give up her brush, the family was supported by watercolors by Charles Macintosh. The couple lived poorly to the end, and the environment did not know about their glorious past.

The Silver Apples of the Moon
The Silver Apples of the Moon

Now the work of Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh and her husband is appreciated. Interest is caused not only by their paintings and watercolors, but also by arts and crafts. They created panels, stained-glass windows, embroidery and accessories, trying to transform different areas of life. In addition to paints, the artists worked with plaster, fabric, wood and metal. One of the most recognizable motifs in their work is the geometric rose. Japanese minimalism had a significant impact on the spouses.

These days, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh’s style is in demand for Celtic folklore books and fantasy stories. The fact that her Art Nouveau work has not been forgotten is evidenced by the simple fact that in 2008 the art panel “Rose White and Scarlet Rose” was sold at Christie´s for £1,700,000.

The White Rose and the Red Rose, 1902
The White Rose and the Red Rose, 1902
Scottish artist and designer, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh
Scottish artist and designer, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh
Opera Of The Seas,1915
Opera Of The Seas,1915