Remarkably gifted as a painter and naturalist, Robert Bateman is undoubtedly the most celebrated wildlife artist working today. With quiet beauty and startling drama, this volume presents the painter at the peak of his career. Featuring more than 130 dazzling new works of art, Natural Worlds shows us how Bateman's evocative depictions of birds and animals within finely observed landscapes have redefined wildlife painting and won him the acclaim of art lovers, critics, and fellow artists alike.Complementing these marvelous new paintings are handsome lithographs, many reproduced here for the first time, as well as evocative color sketches created specially for this book. In the fascinating text that accompanies the art, Bateman also offers reflections on his work and eloquently expresses his concern for the world's threatened ecosystems. If we intend to pass this planet on to our grandchildren, he argues, it is essential to find a balance between progress and preservation.Thoughtful and breathtaking, this marvelous celebration of the beauty and diversity of life on our planet is a treasure as rich and varied as nature itself. Read Less