James Bateman (1893–1959) was an English painter celebrated for his sensitive portrayals of rural life, livestock, and the British countryside. Born into a farming family in Kendal, his lifelong connection to agriculture shaped both his subject matter and artistic vision.

After studying at the Slade School of Fine Art, Bateman established a successful career as both artist and teacher, exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy and later becoming a Royal Academician in 1942. His paintings, often depicting cattle markets, farm workers, and agricultural landscapes, are admired for their strong composition, careful observation, and warm humanity. Bateman’s work remains an enduring tribute to the rhythms and resilience of rural British life.