William Somerville Shanks RSA 1864-1951

William Somerville Shanks was born in Gourock in 1864. At age 14 he entered the design department of a firm of tapestry and curtain manufacturers in Glasgow and attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art.

He began to exhibit in 1892 at the Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts and from then at the Academy and at most of the Scottish Exhibitions. His work was characterised by skilful technique in all his subjects – still life, landscapes, interiors and portraits. His best-known works include “Pipes of Pan”, “His Heritage” and “Interior”.