Maxwell Bates CM RCA LL.D (1906–1980) was a Canadian architect and expressionist painter known for his distinctive fusion of art and architecture. Born in Calgary, Alberta, he began painting at an early age before studying under Lars Jonson Haukaness. In the 1930s, he moved to England, where he exhibited alongside artists like Barbara Hepworth and Victor Pasmore. During World War II, Bates was captured as a prisoner of war, an experience later reflected in his book A Wilderness of Days (1978). After returning to Canada, he balanced his architectural career—most notably designing St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary—with his artistic pursuits. His paintings, often marked by emotional intensity and bold expressionist forms, have been exhibited internationally. Bates was a member of numerous prestigious art societies and was honored with an Order of Canada in 1980. His legacy endures through his contributions to Canadian modernist art and architecture.