Robert Bateman has created an international reputation for his wildlife art. While he does some original prints, it's his paintings that he's famous for. That's more than most people can afford. Bateman's works are still very popular. To meet that demand, top quality photo-reproductions of his paintings are produced and sold.
Some editions run into the thousands.
But Bateman is not alone. Popular painters like Ken Danby, Bev Doolittle, Trisha Romance, and Carl Brenders have all done the same. But Robert Bateman is perhaps the most recognized artist in this debate. Robert Bateman says the reasons he signs and numbers his reproductions are for purposes of quality control and marketing, the same reason that original print-makers sign and number their original prints. Bateman thinks that anyone who buys his reproductions knows they are not getting an original piece of art.