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Items in The Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh collection include: furniture, watercolours, drawings, architectural drawings, design drawings, sketchbooks, metalwork and photographs.

Mackintosh studied evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art between 1883-1894, winning numerous student prizes and competitions including the prestigious Alexander Thomson Travelling Studentship in 1890. Mackintosh and his contemporaries also produced four volumes of a publication called "The Magazine" during their time as students, which included examples of their writing and artworks. GSA Archives and Collections hold Mackintosh's Italian Sketchbook, as well as all four volumes of The Magazine, all of which can be browsed on our catalogue.

The majority of Mackintosh's three-dimensional work was created with the help of a small number of patrons within a short period of intense activity between 1896 and 1910. Francis Newbery was headmaster of The Glasgow School of Art during this time and was supportive of Mackintosh's ultimately successful bid to design a new art school building in 1896 - his most prestigious undertaking. For Miss Kate Cranston he designed a series of Glasgow tearoom interiors and for the businessmen William Davidson and Walter Blackie, he was commissioned to design large private houses, 'Windyhill' in Kilmacolm and 'The Hill House' in Helensburgh. In Europe, the originality of Mackintosh's style was quickly appreciated and in 1900 he was invited to participate at the 8th Vienna Secession.

In 1902 Mackintosh was invited to participate at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin and later at exhibitions in Moscow and Berlin. Despite this success Mackintosh's work met with considerable indifference at home. Few private clients were sufficiently sympathetic to want his 'total design' of house and interior and he was incapable of compromise.

By 1914 Mackintosh had despaired of ever receiving true recognition in Glasgow and together with his wife Margaret Macdonald he moved, temporarily, to Walberswick on the Suffolk Coastline (in England), where he painted many fine flower studies in watercolour. In 1915 the Mackintoshes settled in London and for the next few years Mackintosh attempted to resume practice as an architect and designer. The designs he produced at this time for textiles, for the 'Dug-out' Tea Room in Glasgow and the dramatic interiors for 78 Derngate in Northampton, England show him working in a bold new style of decoration, using primary colours and geometric motifs.

In 1923 the Mackintoshes left London for the South of France, finally living in Port Vendres where Mackintosh gave up all thoughts of architecture and design and devoted himself entirely to painting landscapes. He died in London, of cancer, on 10 December 1928.

The majority of Mackintosh's design work, (including furniture and metalwork), architectural drawings, textile designs and watercolours are in the possession of three public collections - The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Museums, and the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow - although significant (individual) pieces can be found in museums across the UK and Europe, North America and Japan. However, some of Mackintosh's most important, symbolist watercolours from the early to mid-1890s are to be found in the collection of The Glasgow School of Art.

The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections hold a large number of items by Mackintosh, giving us one of the largest collections of his work held in public ownership. The collection is one of 50 Recognised Collections of National Significance to Scotland. We continue to investigate new routes of engagement for the collection. For example, our Mac(k)cessibility project in conjunction with GSA’s School of Simulation and Visualisation explores digital display and loans of our Mackintosh furniture. Find out more about the Mac(k)cessibility project here.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. Installed in the new Mackintosh Furniture Gallery following restoration in 2013. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into the Mackintosh Library following restoration in 2013.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into Studio 45 following restoration in 2013. Following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in May 2014 it was assessed and conserved in 2019.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into Studio 31 following restoration in 2013. Following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in May 2014 it was assessed and conserved in 2019.

This item was damaged in the Mackintosh Building fire in May 2014. Conservation was completed in 2020. Designed for the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The Ingram Street Tea Rooms were purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1951 for £25,000 and were then rented out as various shops and warehouses.

Designed for 120 Main Street, Glasgow. An armchair version of F14 possibly one of a pair made for Mackintosh's Mains Street flat. In the 1899 Art & Craft exhibition Mackintosh showed an armchair with 'lacquer panel by Miss Margaret Mackintosh'. The only chair which fits this description is the one in Copenhagen which was bought by Koloman Moser at the Vienna Secession exhibition in 1900. The GSA chair is identical but lacking the lacquer plaque. It was possibly made later c1901 as a replacement for that bought by Moser. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for the schoolroom at Windyhill, Kilmacolm. A smaller, but otherwise identical version of the hall bench MC/F/30. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for the Director's Room, Glasgow School of Art. One chair reupholstered in blue/black horsehair 1970s, One chair reupholstered in brown horsehair 1984 and repaired. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for original board room at Glasgow School of Art. The chairs were designed for the original Board Room in the East wing (now the Mackintosh Room). The Governors never used this room for meetings and it was initially used as a studio while space was short in the half-finished building. When the new Board Room was built in the second phase of the building, Mackintosh designed a more elaborate version of this chair for it, MC/F/61. Six chairs reupholstered in brown horsehair 1985, very similar to the original fabric found on one of the chairs. Two remaining chairs reupholstered in 1986. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for entrance hall, Glasgow School of Art.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Trade cabinet designed to hold various wood samples. Made for William Douglas, a decorator and friend of Mackintosh who worked on several of his commissions, especially Hous'hill. Reputedly designed by Mackintosh but some of the detailing suggests he did not closely supervise the execution. Each drawer holds samples of different woods, stains, paints and finishes. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Designed for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. One of a set of tea tables for the Dug Out. Such a table can be seen in Mackintosh's design for the Rest Room.

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for the (new) Board Room, Glasgow School of Art. A more elaborate version of the chairs designed for the original Board Room in 1899 (MC/F/18).

Designed for the principal bedroom at Windyhill, Kilmacolm.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Gladsmuir, Kilmacolm. Two tables and two benches were made for the schoolroom at Gladsmuir, probably at the same time as the bookcase. The thistle motif pierced in the sides of the legs of the benches is repeated in the leaded glass of the bookcase.

A rectangular table on plain square legs. This table was commissioned by William Davidson after he moved into 78 Southpark Avenue in 1919. Davidson purchased this house and some of its furniture from Mackintosh when the latter moved to London, however, Mackintosh had taken the dining table with him and so Davidson required a replacement. In later years the table was referred to as a breakfast table. Mackintosh also designed an extension table to accompany this item, see MC/F/109.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

A small rectangular table on plain square legs designed as an extension to dining table MC/F/108. This table was commissioned by William Davidson after he moved into 78 Southpark Avenue in 1919. Davidson purchased this house and some of its furniture from Mackintosh when the latter moved to London. In later years the table was referred to as a side table. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.

A set of five facsilmile high back chairs was commissioned by GSoA from Bruce Hamilton in 1993 to add to an original chair from the White Dining Room, Ingram Street Tearooms, held in the Schools Collection.

A set of five facsilmile high back chairs was commissioned by GSoA from Bruce Hamilton in 1993 to add to an original chair from the White Dining Room, Ingram Street Tearooms, held in the Schools Collection.

A set of five facsilmile high back chairs was commissioned by GSoA from Bruce Hamilton in 1993 to add to an original chair from the White Dining Room, Ingram Street Tearooms, held in the Schools Collection.

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for the Blue or Chinese Room at the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The fretted back and side rails match the Chinese style motifs of the Blue Room (as called in the job books). Much of the woodwork in the Chinese Room was painted bright blue or red, but there is no trace of any finish having been applied to these chairs other than the ebonising which most of them still display. These chairs have always been associated with the Chinese Room and so must be identified with the entry for thirty-six in the job books (Roger Billcliffe). All the chairs rwere eupholstered in blue horsehair in 1985. The Ingram Street Tea Rooms were purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1951 for £25,000 and were then rented out as various shops and warehouses.

An Art-Lover's house competition. Portfolio published 1902. In 1901 the Zeitschrift fur Innen-Dekoration of Darmstadt organised an international competition for the design of an Art Lover's House. The 1st prize was shared among 16 entrants, Baillie Scott recieved 2nd prize and 3rd prizes were also awarded. Mackintosh's entry was disqualified as his interior drawings were not finished in time for the competition deadline, but when they arrived he was awarded a special purchase prize of 600 marks by the publishers. The original drawings cannot now be traced, but in 1902 Alexander Koch published them as a portfolio in 'Meister Der Innenkunst' with an introduction by Herman Muthesius. A portfolio was presented by Mackintosh to the GSA and a 2nd set of prints, framed, is in the GSA collection.The central feature of the house is the large hall - two storeys high - communicating directly with the dining room, reception and music room, which can be adapted to provide a stage. On the South side a terrace room runs outside the reception and music room. On the North side are the entrance, the hall and dining room, which are separated by a moveable partition. On the upper floor, the principal bedroom suite is partitioned off in the South-East corner; numerous guest rooms are provided and a playroom is in the attic above the childrens' bedrooms. The kitchen and servants' rooms are in the basement.

An Art-Lover's house competition. Portfolio published 1902. In 1901 the Zeitschrift fur Innen-Dekoration of Darmstadt organised an international competition for the design of an Art Lover's House. The 1st prize was shared among 16 entrants, Baillie Scott recieved 2nd prize and 3rd prizes were also awarded. Mackintosh's entry was disqualified as his interior drawings were not finished in time for the competition deadline, but when they arrived he was awarded a special purchase prize of 600 marks by the publishers. The original drawings cannot now be traced, but in 1902 Alexander Koch published them as a portfolio in 'Meister Der Innenkunst' with an introduction by Herman Muthesius. A portfolio was presented by Mackintosh to the GSA and a 2nd set of prints, framed, is in the GSA collection.Muthesius in his introduction to the 'Meister der Innen Kunst' portfolio, stresses the impact and novelty of Mackintosh's design. 'The exterior architecture of the building... exhibits an absolutely original character, unlike anything else known... The mass of the building consists of a large plain black, without any breaking up of the walls, the effect being sought for in unbroken uniform surfaces... the windows have the appearance of accidental openings deeply recessed in the walls... Ornament, save in two or three places, is conspicuously absent, all allurements being sternly repressed in order that the desired effect of plainness reticence and therewithal of mystery and height, might be revealed as strongly as possible.