Cardinal and Oak, 1971 by Robert Bateman

Provenance:
Jack & June Ord Collection
By descent to the present Private Collection

The work of Robert Bateman reflects the artist’s commitment to environmentalism. In addition to being an active member of numerous conservation and environmental organisations, his artwork has raised millions of dollars’ worth of funds for these noble causes. With a degree in geography and a twenty-year career as a teacher, it was not until 1976 at the age of forty-six that Bateman took up painting full- time. The artist’s work has undergone numerous iterations from realism to impressionism to cubism and back to realism, but the unifying theme is his love and respect for the natural world.

The cardinal is an iconic North American songbird. As a non-migratory bird, the cardinal’s vivid red colouring stands out against snowy landscapes. Perhaps reminiscent of this, Bateman chooses to focus the viewer’s attention on the captivating bird in “The First Cardinal” by creating a white background interlaced with muted leaves and branches. The entire pictorial plane is designed to showcase the central subject matter.