The Mackintoshes in Port-Vendres
In 1923, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret arrived in Roussillon, with Margaret following a cure at Amélie-les-Bains during the winter of 1923-1924.
During the winter of 1925 They chose to settle in the Hotel du Commerce in Port-Vendres. “Toshie”, Charles Rennie Mackintosh then continued to paint – 14 watercolors in Port-Vendres.
He also produced more than 40 paintings in Vallespir, Conflent and on the Côte Vermeille.
They will stay in this hotel-boarding house on several occasions from 1925 to 1927.
The current building, the bronze in memory of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
The building that housed the Hôtel du Commerce has become a residential building divided into apartments. The ground is occupied by the Banque Populaire.It is located at 8 Quai Forgas
The renovation of this old three-storey building took place in 2020 including the balconies on the first floor, respecting its late 19th century architecture with its wrought iron balconies. The painting of the ground floor of the rue Jules Ferry façade was completed in April 2021.
It is on the facade of the building on the corner of rue Jules Ferry and Quai Forgas that you can see the bronze.
The large patinated bronze bas-relief medallion depicts the bust of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is signed by sculptor Jane Robbins
Bronze, over time, has suffered the combined passage of time and weather conditions (sun, wind, sea air) and the renovation work on the facade has exacerbated this.
The bronze has become dull with oxidation stains on its surface.
Below it, a commemorative plaque traces the passage of Charles in this place
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh association in Roussillon has decided to budget for the repair of this bronze for this year 2022But before retracing this operation, a little historical reminder of the history of this bronze plaque The bronze and its inauguration: a memorable day in 2012The bronze was inaugurated on November 13, 2012 in the presence of a team of journalists from the Independent. You will find below an extract from the article published in the newspaper l’Indépendant of November 15, 2012 and signed Véronique Parayre
CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH A GENIUS IN LOVE WITH PORT-VENDRES
Even a BBC television crew made the trip to film the event. It must be said that the Scottish delegation, made up of a minister, personalities in kilts and a bagpipe player in particular, was very proud of the honors rendered in Roussillon, and in particular in Port-Vendres, to one of the personalities most respected in the country – Charles-Rennie Mackintosh. Thus, a bronze bust signed by the sculptor Jane Robbins was unveiled, at the very place where the artist stayed, as well as a plaque baptizing the bridge on rue Jules-Ferry
Yesterday, therefore, in the presence of the Scottish minister, the sub-prefect of Céret and local personalities, the artist’s imprint was immortalized. Underpinning this action, being undertaken since 2004, Lord and Lady Steel and the members of the Association Ch-R. Mackintosh, as secretary Michèle Grau explains: “We have succeeded in recreating the artist’s itinerary in Roussillon, a route marked out by 35 paintings which have enabled the creation of three interpretation centers in Port-Vendres, Amélie and at Fort Liberia in Villefranche. In addition, the publication of a book by Robin Crichton is a remarkable bilingual guide allowing us to better understand his journey”. A cocktail reception closed this meeting, in the presence of members of the Vigatana portvendrenca in traditional Catalan dress and to the sound of the bagpipes, allowing Mayor Jean-Pierre Roméro to conclude: “The whole city is proud of this collaboration, making tribute to this great man. The bust unveiled in the very place where he stayed, and the bridge named after him, are symbols of the strong link that binds Port-Vendres to Scotland. The duty of memory is respected, Charles-Rennie Mackintosh stays alive through his work
The renovation of the Bronze on March 10, 2022:
It is therefore 10 years after the inauguration of this bronze that the Directors of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh association in Roussillon decided to renovate the medallion and this in accordance with the rules of the bronze art.
This operation, which consists of carrying out a thorough cleaning followed by a hot patina and the application of a protective layer, was entrusted to an artist, sculptor and founder, Mrs. Florence Gros.
Workshop at the Moulin des Arts: Rue du 14 Juillet – 66150 Arles-sur-Tech
Florence was trained in the art of bronze and makes sculptures, bronze jewelry, bookmarks, wrought iron hair sticks and silver wire jewelry, the works of Florence Gros are unique pieces signed and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is provided with each piece of jewelry or sculpture.
To find out more about this artist click on the link below a program from France bleu pays catalan
Bronze sculptures and jewelery in Arles-sur-Tech with Florence Gros (francebleu.fr)
The officers of the association organized the smooth running of the operation;
the arrival of the artist in Port-Vendres,
the provision of a small scaffolding and the securing of the premises,
requesting authorization of the town hall
and the skills of the technical service of the city of Port-Vendres.
The sun was there but a strong southerly wind made the operation difficult. However, Florence’s talent made it possible to carry out the operation
Below is a short video showing the conditions of the intervention : click ont the image to start the video
Below is a slideshow retracing the progress of the repair day
