Reeves and Sons

Reeves and Sons is an English art materials brand and a former manufacturing company established by William Reeves (1739–1803) in 1766.[1][2] Reeves is credited with having invented the soluble watercolour.[3]

Reeves

Type	Private (1766–1974) Subsidiary (1974–76)
Industry	Art materials
Founded	1766 in London
Founder	William Reeves
Defunct	1976 (1976) [1]
Fate	Acquired by Reckitt and Colman in 1974, merged to Winsor & Newton in 1976, then other owners [1]
Successor	Colart Fine Art and Graphics
Headquarters	England
Products	Watercolour paints
Owner	Colart

The brand is best known for its "Reeves" brand of artists' acrylic and watercolor paints. The firm went through various name changes during its history, listed as follows:

• Thomas Reeves and Son 1784–1799
• W. J. Reeves 1799–1800
• Reeves and Woodyer 1800–1816
• Reeves, Woodyer and Reeves 1817–1818
• W. J. Reeves and Son 1819–1829
• Reeves and Sons 1830–1890
• Reeves and Sons Ltd 1891–1976

In 1974, the company was acquired by Reckitt and Colman, and then merged with Winsor and Newton, following Reckitt and Colman's acquisition in 1976 of the latter company. In 1991, ownership of the "Reeves" brand was acquired by Wilhelm Becker, through American conglomerate Colart.[4]