“The Mysterious Garden”

This beautiful framed print is of an exquisite detail taken from The Mysterious Garden a 1911 watercolour by Margaret Macdonald.

The Mysterious Garden was first exhibited in Glasgow by The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1911. The subject and meaning of the work is ( perhaps intentionally ) shrouded in mystery. Forms and motifs echoed from other works by the artist, an enigmatic female figure, disembodied mask-like faces and symbolic creatures create a dreamlike composition.

Margaret Macdonald became highly skilled in watercolour and developed a series of works from around 1900. It has been suggested that “The Blue Bird” a play by Maurice Maeterlinck performed in Glasgow in 1910 may have inspired The Mysterious Garden. Maeterlinck was a leader in the international Symbolist movement. The row of blue bird-like forms along the top of the work is perhaps the clearest reference and birds also appear in several other works by Macdonald and those of her husband Mackintosh.

The mask-like face featured in our print is the final and most resolved of eight featured in The Mysterious Garden. It perhaps represents the end of a dream but remains an enigma known only to its creator. This is a powerful, engaging work.

Margaret Macdonald – a pioneering artist and businesswoman.
Margaret Macdonald was born in Tipton, England in 1864. She studied at the Glasgow School of Art with her sister Frances where they met Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Herbert McNair. In the mid 1890s the Macdonald Sisters opened a studio in Hope Street, Glasgow working together for around 10 years. They produced metalwork, graphics, and book illustrations. She later collaborated with Mackintosh whom she married in 1900.

Ready to display.
The print is presented in a stunning all white frame which adds to its jewel-like quality; it’ll look great in any setting. With a weighty, quality feel it can be stood on a shelf or desktop but also includes a hanging loop for wall display.

Produced by Duille, Northampton, England.
Adapted from an original 1911 work by Margaret Macdonald.
The frame is suitable for table top use or for wall hanging and is sealed on the reverse with traditional framers tape to help prolong the life of your print.

Made to last
This work is made from high quality materials designed to last for many years. It is printed in archival quality pigment inks on Somerset Velvet 255gsm acid free paper and mounted in a sealed polymer crystal-glazed fibreboard frame. As with any work of art we recommend displaying your print away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Overall dimensions: 27cm x 27cm x 6cm.
Printed image 12cm x 12cm.

All materials are recyclable and come from environmentally responsible sources.

Ordering from outside the UK?
The heavy frames of these prints unfortunately mean heavier air-shipping costs. Please contact us before ordering if you would like some less expensive options for your location; we’re most happy to give friendly, no-obligation advice.