Frances McNair Paintings

Frances Macdonald McNair was a Scottish artist whose work played a significant role in the development of the Glasgow Style during the 1890s. Born on August 24, 1873, in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, England, Frances was the younger sister of Margaret Macdonald, who was also a prominent artist. The Macdonald sisters were influential figures within the Glasgow School, a circle of innovative artists and designers active at the turn of the 20th century.

Frances and her sister attended the Glasgow School of Art, where they met Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Herbert MacNair. Together, the four formed an influential collaborative group known as 'The Four' or 'The Glasgow Four.' Their work was characterized by a blend of influences ranging from Celtic motifs to Japanese forms, and they were known for their distinctive style that combined the organic with the geometric, often featuring elongated, ethereal female figures.

In 1899, Frances Macdonald married James Herbert McNair, and they both moved to Liverpool, where they continued their artistic collaboration. Frances's work during this period included a range of media such as watercolor, metalwork, and textile design. However, her career was somewhat overshadowed by that of her husband and her sister, who married Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Despite this, Frances McNair's contribution to the Art Nouveau movement and the Glasgow Style was significant, and her work is characterized by a unique synthesis of symbolism and modernism.

Tragedy and ill health followed Frances in her later years, and after the death of her only child, she destroyed a great deal of her work. As a result, her surviving work is limited, making it more precious to art historians and collectors. Frances Macdonald McNair died in Glasgow in 1921. In the years following her death, her work, along with that of 'The Four,' gained recognition for its contribution to modern art and design. Her legacy is preserved in the collections of various museums, including the Glasgow School of Art and the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow.