History of 78 Derngate Northampton

<body text="#510E18" bgcolor="#FFFFCC" link="#7C0418" alink="#0000FF" vlink="#EB0000" bgproperties="FIXED" background="../images/bkg02.gif"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="10" height="10"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="600"> <tr> <td><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="95" height="10"></td> <td align="CENTER"></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="550" height="22"><br> <img src="../Images/histh.gif" width="123" height="33" alt="BRIEF" history> <td align="CENTER"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="85" height="10"></td> <td align="CENTER"></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="TOP"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"> <img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <p></tr> <tr> <td><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="85" height="10"></td> <td align="CENTER"></td> <td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><img src="../Images/pic01.jpg" width="264" height="401" alt="Rear view of 78 Showing the extension" align="RIGHT"><br> <font face="Helvetica,Arial" size="4" color="#858585"><b>An Introduction</font></b> <p><font face="Helvetica,Arial" size="2">78 Derngate, Northampton represents almost the end of Mackintosh's career as an interior designer and illustrates the progression of his creativity from the curvilinear to the rectilinear - from his earlier Glasgow style work relating to the Art Nouveau period, to this strikingly innovative work reflecting European modernism. <p>This, in itself, is important and fortunate for scholars and laymen alike, and in WJ Bassett-Lowke Mackintosh found a patron who, although having very definite views and differing tastes, was sympathetic to his ideas. Thus he was able to leave a legacy that exemplified the work of his later years at a time when he had few commissions in London, although he was creating textile designs which explored quite futuristic images. <p>In Northampton, there are not only the dramatic remodelled interiors and facades of 78 Derngate but smaller commissions as well - The Drive for Bassett-Lowke's brother-in-law and Candida Cottage, his country retreat. <p>Northampton itself nestles in delightful countryside, close to London and Birmingham, and is easily approached by rail and road; indeed not an overlong drive from Glasgow! Northampton's central location should ensure comparative ease of access to the 78 Derngate Project and with such a variety of other attractions to visit, it will show the work of Mackintosh in the context of architecture and design over the centuries in the heart of England. <p>Northampton provides the visitor with a wealth of contrasts in architectural styles: A church in the 'Wren' style by Henry Bell, The 'Soldiers Church' of the Holy Sepulchre, St. Matthews with its majestic Henry Moore sculpture and stained glass window by Brangwyn; the wonderful Godwin Town Hall with its exciting contemporary extension; a central museum of astonishing depth and range with its ancillary galleries; and a repertory theatre, all enabling the visitor to experience the changing character of the town from its industrial past to its commercial and service orientated present. <p>The 78 Derngate Project will give the visitor a unique insight into Mackintosh's last major architectural and design commission, presenting schemes unparalleled in his oeuvre. The fortunate acquisition of the two adjoining properties will enable the Trust to exhibit the full Mackintosh story establishing close links with Glasgow and demonstrating the patronage of W J Bassett-Lowke, discriminatory and avant-garde, whose business interests were worldwide - a Bassett-Lowke model engine is a collector's piece! <p>It was fortunate that Bassett-Lowke commissioned Mackintosh to carry out the work on 78 Derngate, unfortunate that he was not able to re-establish the contact when he wanted a design for a new house, but again fortunate that he instructed Peter Behrens, a distinguished German architect, giving Northampton another important example and inheritance of 1920s style. <p>Charles Rennie Mackintosh is acclaimed worldwide and although the major examples of his work are to be found in Scotland, the Mackintosh enthusiast travels, as does the keen Frank Lloyd Wright or art nouveau scholar - it is therefore exciting and appropriate that Northampton should be able to offer what is almost the final link in the Mackintosh story, greatly welcomed by the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow (which houses an extensive Mackintosh archive in addition to its magnificent collection of original works), the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society and all associated with his work in Glasgow. <p><b>Patricia Douglas, M.B.E.<br> March 1999</b><br> </font><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="500" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="85" height="10"></td> <td align="CENTER"></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="TOP"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="18" height="1"><img src="../images/dot.gif" width="22" height="18"> <p><img src="../images/shim.gif" width="480" height="1"> <a href="lowke.htm"><img src="../Images/bsmalle.gif" width="173" height="88" alt="Bassett-Loake the man" border="0"></a> <img src="../images/shim.gif" width="80" height="1"> <a href="78lowke.htm"><img src="../Images/h-loake.gif" width="173" height="88" alt="Bassett-Loake & No78" border="0"></a> <p><b><font face="Helvetica,Arial" size="1"><font color="#01004D">Should your browser not support images and frames you may look at the other areas of the site by selecting from the following links</font> <p><a href="../index.htm" target="_parent">Home Page</a>  |  <a href="restore.htm">The Restoration</a>  | <a href="news.htm">News Update</a>  | <a href="history.htm">Brief History</a>  |  <a href="quests.htm">Questionnaire</a>  |  <a href="linkto.htm">Links</a></font></b></td> </tr> </table> <body>  </body>