Mackintosh made his reputation at the turn of the century as an architect and designer of great originality. In 1914, however, he abruptly left his native Glasgow, and by the time he painted Peonies he was living in London, where, although his work had never been fully appreciated by the English, he was attempting to reestablish his career. This is one of a group of eight still lifes of flowers he painted and sent to exhibitions in the hope of supplementing his meager income. Although it did not find a buyer until some time after his death, it reveals him as a superb watercolorist.
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Miss Shaw (from 1933); John Watson, Esq., Glasgow (1961–d.); his daughters (until 1993; sold through the Fine Art Society, London to MMA)
Glasgow. McLellan Galleries. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh: Memorial Exhibition," May 4–27, 1933, no. 152 (as "Paeonies").
Edinburgh. Royal Scottish Museum. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928): Architecture, Design and Painting," August 17–September 8, 1968, no. 331 (as "Paeonies," lent by John Watson, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., F.R.I.A.S., Glasgow).
London. Victoria and Albert Museum. "A Centenary Exhibition. Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928): Architecture, Design and Painting," October 30–December 29, 1968, no. 331.
Darmstadt. Hessisches Landesmuseum. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1868–1928: Aus dem Werk des schottischen Architekten," February 27–May 4, 1969.
Zürich. Unknown venue. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1868–1928: Aus dem Werk des schottischen Architekten," 1969.
Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow. "Flower Drawings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928)," February 9–April 9, 1977, no. 37 (lent by John Watson, FRIBA, FRIAS).
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh," November 21, 1996–February 16, 1997, no. 284.
Art Institute of Chicago. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh," March 29–June 22, 1997, no. 284.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art. "Charles Rennie Mackintosh," August 3–October 12, 1997, no. 284.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Significant Objects," November 26, 2002–May 2, 2004, no catalogue.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Highlights from the Modern Design Collection: 1900 to the Present," June 23, 2009–May 1, 2011, no catalogue.
Andrew McLaren Young. Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928): Architecture, Design and Painting. Exh. cat., Royal Scottish Museum. Edinburgh, 1968, p. 67, no. 331.
Roger Billcliffe. Mackintosh Watercolours. London, 1978, p. 40, no. 165, ill. p. 99, dates it about 1919–20.
J. Stewart Johnson in "Recent Acquisitions. A Selection: 1993–1994." Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 52 (Fall 1994), p.. 63, ill. (color).
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (British, Glasgow, Scotland 1868–1928 London)
ca. 1920
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