Peonies

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.