Maria Ellen Reeks

Born 1 December 1858
Died 10 July 1929

Active: 1880 - 1919

Country of birth and death: England

Wood carver, teacher, manager of art school

Born in Pimlico, London. She was the daughter of Trenham Reeks (1823-1879, born in Lambeth), a geologist, Registrar at the Royal School of Mines, Assistant Curator of the Museum of Economic Geology from c.1839 and then Curator of the Museum of Practical Geology including the Survey Library whose effects were valued at under £5,000 at his death in 1879. Maria's sister, Margaret Reeks (born c.1855) was an art teacher and possibly a sculptor. She died in London.

Maria trained as a wood carver with Anton Bulletti at the School of Art Wood Carving from about 1880. After Bulletti's departure in 1882, she became an assistant teacher of the evening wood carving classes at the School. A profile of Reeks published in 1904, paid tribute to her dedication and skill:

"There are few craftswomen who have devoted as much time to the study of their craft as Miss Reeks. She has always been an inveterate worker, and early realised that there was no short cut to success. That she is one of the few women carvers who can work quickly is due to the fact that during the last twenty-four years she has daily passed some hours at her bench. Since 1901, when she became Manager of the School of Art Wood-carving, she has had more calls upon her time; but before then she used to carve six and eight hours a day. Rapidity only comes with constant practice, and this is a point few women realise. For many years she has been the assistant teacher in the evening classes at the school. Among the various certificates she holds may be mentioned The First Group of the Art Masters Certificate, third grade; Honours Certificate, School of Art Wood-carving, and Honours Certificate, History of Architecture, University College, London. She was awarded a silver medal for carving, in the Educational Section of the International Health Exhibition."
('IV Maria E. Reeks', Arts & Crafts Magazine Vol 1-2, London, 1904.)

In the early 1900s (the exact date of her appointment is uncertain), Reeks became the manager of the School of Art Wood Carving. She stayed in that role until 1915 or 1916.

Wealth at death: £508 8s. 1d.
Probate date: 9 September 1929

Citing this record

'Maria Ellen Reeks', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib2_1209076996, accessed 31 Mar 2023]