John Bates Noel

Oil Painting by John Bates Noel "A Rural Landscape"

1910

John Bates Noel was born in Worcester in 1870. He was the son of the landscape artist David Bates (1840–1921) but later on, changed his professional name to avoid confusion. The family lived in Worcestershire as well as in Birmingham and it was highly likely that he was encouraged and taught by his father as their subject matter and style bear similarities, although John’s compositions tend to be more fluid and looser. By the turn of the century, Noel was living in Malvern where he also taught art. He specialized in painting the rugged landscapes in and around the West Midlands, Worcestershire and North Wales. Noel exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1893–1909 and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists between 1892–1919. He also exhibited works at some of the major galleries of the time including the Manchester City Art Gallery and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.