This painting comes from the collection of Birgit and Robert Bateman. Bateman is one of Canada’s most celebrated wildlife artists, renowned for his highly detailed and quietly powerful portrayals of animals in their natural habitats. Born in 1930 in Toronto, Bateman developed an early fascination with nature that would become the foundation of his lifelong artistic practice. Working in a realist style, Bateman’s paintings are distinguished not only by their precision, but by their atmosphere and sense of stillness. Rather than dramatizing wildlife, he often presents animals as part of a larger ecosystem—sometimes small within the composition—encouraging viewers to slow down and observe the subtleties of the natural world. Beyond his studio practice, Bateman is an outspoken naturalist and educator, using his art to promote awareness of endangered species and fragile ecosystems. His legacy extends through both his paintings and his advocacy, positioning him as a central figure in Canadian art and one of the most influential wildlife artists of the twentieth century.

It is only fitting that as a wildlife painter himself, Bateman collected paintings by some of the other masters of wildlife painting. Peter Scott (1909–1989) was a distinguished British painter, ornithologist, and conservationist whose work bridged art and environmental advocacy. Born in London, he was the son of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, a legacy that helped shape his early connection to the natural world. Best known for his elegant and sensitive depictions of birds, particularly waterfowl, Scott combined scientific accuracy with a refined painterly style. His deep understanding of avian behaviour informed compositions that feel both immediate and intimate, often capturing fleeting moments in nature. Beyond his artistic practice, Scott was a leading figure in the modern conservation movement. He co-founded the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and played a key role in advancing wildlife protection in the twentieth century. His legacy is defined not only by his art, but by his enduring impact on global conservation efforts.