Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) – Scottish artist, architect and designer

Charles was born in Glasgow on 7th June 1868. He became an architect, designer, water colourist and artist. His artistic approach had much in common with European Symbolism. His work, alongside that of his wife Margaret (nee Macdonald) who was also an artist, was influential on European design movements such as Art Nouveau and Secessionism and praised by great modernists such as Josef Hoffmann. 

He moved to the Suffolk village of Walberswick in 1914. There Mackintosh was accused of being a German spy and briefly arrested in 1915.  Interestingly, the stained glass artist Margaret Rope was also arrested in Suffolk on suspicion of being a German spy https://fascinatingfactsofww1.blogspot.com/2026/01/margaret-agnes-rope-1882-1953-british.html

Charles Rennie Mackintosh did not serve in any official capacity during WW1; and having faced suspicion as a potential spy due to his foreign connections, leading to harassment and relocation, his career was essentially over and he focused on painting flowers in the South of France and England.

Painting found by Paul Simadas and posted on the Artists of the First World War Facebook page on 14th January 2026:   Paul says:

“Winter Rose”, period print of a pencil and water-colour painting by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1916. Signed and dated by the artist.

This unusual watercolour from Charles Rennie Mackintosh was produced in Chelsea, London during the First World War. A rose, the source of so much inspiration for the artist, is observed here amidst foliage in its faded winter beauty. 

“Winter Rose” was painted in 1916 and this mid-war period proved to be financially difficult for the Scottish designer, craftsman and artist and his wife Margaret. With wartime building restrictions limiting demand Mackintosh’s only major architectural commission that year was for the remodelling of the existing multi-story residence at No. 78 Derngate, in Northampton in the English Midlands. The couple turned to producing textile designs which they sold to progressive manufacturers to raise funds. 

Mackintosh also painted several floral themed works for sale of which “Winter Rose” was but one ( Begonias, Peonies, Pinks, Yellow Tulips and Petunias were others). Unusually for Mackintosh, famous for stylised stencilled roses, this example is rendered as a still life. Surrounded by hips and leaves in muted winter colour the detailed rendering of the flower and overall compositon make a very appealing subject for the eye.”

Credit: The Victoria & Albert Museum.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh died in London on 10th December 1928.

Sources:  

Wikipedia and Find my Past and https://www.facebook.com/groups/385353788875799