Charles Rennie Mackintosh

The Scottish architect, designer and painterCharles Rennie Mackintosh was born on 7 June 1868 in Glasgow, in a house near the cathedral, where his ten siblings grew up. As a child he suffered from many illnesses, was lame and had problems with his right eye, the lid of which drooped. His doctors recommended walks in the countryside for his convalescence, which later proved a valuable inspiration in his work. Mackintosh first attended the private secondary school, Allan Glen's School. At the age of sixteen he began working as an assistant in the office of architect John Hutchinson. He worked in his office until 1889, at which time he also received a traveling scholarship that enabled him to travel throughout Europe, studying mainly ancient and classical architecture. Mackintosh was one of the main exponents of Art Nouveau in England and became a pioneer of the style. Although his designs were simple, they reflected the needs of people who desired not only purpose but also beauty. He also had a significant influence on the development of European design, which is particularly noticeable in the company's Funzionalismo collection, which is named in his honour.