W.Maxwell Reekie (1864-1948)

William Weatherby 1891 - 1966

Summary

Stylised portrait of the head and shoulders of William Maxwell Reekie (1869-1948). He is depicted as an elderly but smart male figure with receeding white hair and spectacles in the form of a pince-nez. Seen in three-quarter profile to the left, he wears a dark jacket and neck cloth, and a white collar. There are no background details. Reekie was prominent in both the business and artistic life in Manchester in the first half of the 20th century. He was born in Manchester of Scottish parents. As a young man he joined the textile merchanting firm of Robert Barbour and Brother Limited. In 1910 he was appointed a director and remained a member of the board until 1942. In the course of his business life he was for several years a director of Manchester Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Reform Club and he served on the Library Committee. As a director of the Manchester Athenaeum he took a deep interest in that institution's educational work. He was awarded the OBE for his public services. Art, however, was his greatest love. He studied art under Tom Mostyn and Walter Sickert. He was a member and former president of the Royal Manchester Institution and in 1938 he received its Heywood medal for 30 years' service. He regularly exhibited his work, which sold for a reasonable sum - the Manchester City Art Gallery purchased his 'McLellan's Castle' in 1937. He died in 1948 in Didsbury, Manchester.