Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Margaret, one of my flat mates from my Glasgow days in the 70’s, was on the platform at Glasgow Queen St to meet us. We found Ken and the car and headed off to the Kelvingrove Museum to see the special exhibit on Mackintosh and his contemporaries. Of course, trying to find a parking space anywhere near, at the same time as a 10km run is on, was a challenge. 

The exhibit was wonderful and it was very interesting to learn about this period of art and design. The artwork by the women in this period is beautiful and often overlooked by the historians. The painting below illustrates the frustration some of these women felt. 

Mackintosh’s designs and furniture are so recognizable, but the beautiful triptychs that are associated with the name, were created by his wife. 

Margaret then took us to see two special paintings. The first one was of family and friends leaving Scotland during the clearances. Very sad. Fortunately, our ancestors left of their own volition from the Glasgow/Stirling area, perhaps because there were no jobs but we don’t know for sure. More research needed!

Lee and I spent the afternoon sitting in the sun at the house, watching our laundry dry. We enjoyed  another lovely dinner and wide ranging conversation before heading to bed for an early start this morning. 

Ken drove Lee to a nearby station at 7am to start her journey to Oxford and drove me to the same station an hour later. It was a great visit but way too short. Hopefully the golf courses in Victoria will tempt them to visit us again. 

So here I sit for the next 9 hours, watching scenery and drinking coffee.