On the 150th year after his birth, Glasgow is celebrating the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of Scotland’s most renowned artists. Since January 2018 the lively city has been honouring his memory through numerous events and exhibitions, but if you have not had a chance to explore the Glasgow Mackintosh venues yet, worry not: you are still in time.
First stop: the Mackintosh House. Situated by The Hunterian museum on the beautiful grounds of the University of Glasgow, the building hosts an incredible collection of works from the architect and his wife, Margaret MacDonald. “The Mackintosh House is a meticulous reassemblage of the principal interiors from the Mackintoshes’ Glasgow home”, where they lived in the early 1900s, before moving to England. Step into the past and take your time to admire the elegant décor and design that made husband and wife famous.
While in the West End, you might want to stop at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This stunning building is made up of 22 galleries, which host a wide range of history, natural science and art collections. Among them are, of course, some beautiful pieces by the Mackintoshes, and Frances MacDonald and Herbert MacNair: the two couples were known as “the Four” and together they brought the ‘Glasgow Style’ to life.
Travel back to the city centre and you will find quite a few spots on the Mackintosh path. One of the most popular destinations is without a doubt The Lighthouse: five floors of exhibitions (the last one being the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre) lead towards the famous helical staircase, which allows visitors to reach the external viewing gallery… to observe the city from a different point of view! Just a few meters form the entrance of The Lighthouse it is possible to find one of the two Willow Tea Rooms. Established in 1983 by young entrepreneur Kate Cranston, the tea rooms are stunning examples of CRM’s unique style. Let yourself be transported into the past and enjoy exquisite, locally sourced and homemade products.
Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece, the Glasgow School of Arts, was unfortunately almost entirely destroyed by a horrible fire only five months ago. More of his creations include the Daily Record Building, Mackintosh’s Queen’s Cross, and House for an Art Lover. Visit the CMR Society website for more information about the artist and places to visit in the city.
