Atul Bose (22 February 1898 – 10 July 1977) was a celebrated Indian painter, recognized for his vivid and realistic depictions of village life, portraits, and landscapes, predominantly executed in oil. His work is renowned for its profound emotional depth and outstanding technical finesse.
 Born in Mymensingh (then part of the Bengal Presidency), Bose grew up in an environment steeped in cultural vibrancy.
 He began his education at the National Council of Education in Mymensingh before moving to Kolkata to study at the Jubilee Art Academy, which followed a unique and progressive curriculum. 
A turning point in his career came when his sketch of the eminent educationist Asutosh Mukherjee, titled Bengal Tiger, won him a scholarship from the University of Calcutta to study at the Royal Academy in London (1924–1926). During his time in London, he drew inspiration from the post-impressionist artist Walter Sickert. Bose also made a vital contribution to shaping modern Indian art education.
 In 1919, he was instrumental in founding the Indian Academy of Art together with Hemen Majumdar.

He later served as the Principal of the Government Art School in Calcutta between 1945 and 1948, before being appointed Director of the Government College of Art & Craft. Among his notable commissions was painting portraits from the royal collections at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, under the patronage of the Indian government. His celebrated works include Sphinx (oil on plywood) and Self-Portrait (1945) In 1921, Bose co-established the Indian School of Oriental Art with Bhabani Charan Laha, reflecting his dedication to blending traditional and contemporary art forms. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to Indian art, Rabindra Bharati University awarded him an honorary D.Litt. in 1970.