David Bates was born in Cambridgeshire. He spent most of his early life in Worcestershire, where he became apprenticed at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works. A painter in both oils and watercolours, Bates visited the Trading Company in North Africa, before returning to paint landscapes of Wales and Scotland.
Batess paintings show the influence of Benjamin Williams Leader (1831-1923).
His works achieved much recognition - Lord Leighton (the then President of the
Royal Academy) purchased a snow scene of Hollymount Woods. His paintings,
which are usually inscribed with a title on the reverse, are much sought after by
collectors today.
Exhibited: Royal Academy (1863-1893); Royal Society of British Artists;
Grafton Gallery; New Watercolour Society
Museums: Liverpool Museum - 'Interior of a Welsh Cottage'
