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