Robert Bateman is a teacher, naturalist, and artist whose extraordinary love of nature leads him to depict the world in a way that encourages the viewer to admire and protect its intrinsic beauty. Born in Toronto, Canada in 1930 he began drawing and painting at a young age but viewed the arts as a hobby and not a career. He attended the University of Toronto, earning an honors degree in geography and going on to obtain a degree to teach high school art and geography. Bateman painted throughout his 20-year teaching career but never expected to earn a living from it. However, from his first solo exhibition, a sold out first night at the Alice Peck Gallery in Burlington, Ontario, it became clear that he could make a living from his painting.

The wildlife paintings of Robert Bateman have a powerful impact that photography cannot equal and that few other painters can achieve. “Art is an adventure for the eye. Although I care about scientific accuracy, I also look upon feather and fur as pattern, color, rhythm – elements of design.”

“Inspiration comes from life, and ideas often take me by surprise. The idea for Ibex at Masada came from a trip to Israel with the director of Israel’s reserves. Israel is one of the best places on the planet for nature protection, and the ibex is the symbol of the Nature and Natural Parks Authority.”

This painting was sold at the Royal Ontario Museum’s gala benefit in 1999; the proceeds funded Israel’s park system. It has been in the same collection ever since.