His initial donations were made in the second decade of the 20th
century. He continued to donate paintings for almost 30 years.
Those paintings donated by Sir Alexander Walker include local
Kilmarnock scenes by artists with reputations which do not extend
far beyond Ayrshire. They also include paintings by European
artists with names which are widely known and figures who can claim
an important place in the history of Scottish art. Walker was not
inspired by the more radical contemporary art of his day, be it
Scottish or European and among the paintings which he donated are
some 19th century works which did not accord with the fashionable
taste of his day but which are now among the most admired in the Dick Institute's collection.
Sir Alexander's friend, George Dunlop, who was the proprietor of
the local newspaper, the Kilmarnock Standard, was another
substantial benefactor of the Dick's collection. Although not
exclusively interested in Scottish art he could be said to be
responsible to a very great extent, for the collections strength in
this area. Like Sir Alexander Walker, he was not attracted by the
cutting edge of the contemporary art of his day. While Sir
Alexander Walker and George Dunlop donated largely as individuals,
they also donated jointly. An example of this is a painting which
is probably among the most popular in the collection and one which
has been in demand on loan for temporary exhibitions as far afield
as Japan and Spain. This is a large canvas, 'Greek Girls Playing
Ball' by Frederick Lord Leighton (1830-1896). It was donated by Sir
Alexander Walker and George Dunlop together.