A New Direction

By 1913, the mounting tension between the partners resulted in the resignation of Mackintosh and their relocation to Walberswick, Suffolk. It was here that he produced some of his finest pencil and watercolour paintings.

In 1915 they moved to Chelsea and Mackintosh supplemented his dwindling income by designing textile patterns.

Between 1915 and 1923 he produced over 120 different designs in this new medium, ranging from patterns based on stylised flowers and natural forms to more abstract motifs that look forward to Art Deco.

Within this economic climate Mackintosh’s fortunes improved in 1916 when he was commissioned to redesign the home of engineer W.J.Basset-Lowke, at 78 Derngate, Northampton.

Mackintosh’s bold, geometric designs for the interiors and the very modern rear elevation were a confident expression of the architect working at the height of his powers and experimenting with new decorative forms.

In 1923, with very little prospect of architectural work and becoming increasingly hard-pressed financially, Charles and Margaret set off for Port Vendres in the South of France. Much like Suffolk, the simple natured and low cost lifestyle suited them perfectly and proved to be conducive to the creation of watercolour paintings.

However, as time passed, Mackintosh's health began to deteriorate, prompting the return to London, where the illness worsened and Charles Rennie Mackintosh died on the 10 December 1928, aged sixty.

Further information on tours and events can be obtained from the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society at e-mail: info@crmsociety.com or web: www.crmsociety.com

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