Walter Hatke (b. 1948, Topeka, KS) is a realist painter known for his depictions of the interiors and exteriors of American buildings. He earned his BA at DePauw University in Indiana, followed by an MFA from the University of Iowa. Early in his career, Hatke worked as a studio assistant to the American artist Alexander Calder.
Hatke often focuses on commonplace houses and industrial sites, which he approaches from unexpected angles and renders with exacting precision. Working from direct observation, he crafts a crisp serenity in each scene by highlighting form, light, and space.
Hatke has shown at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona, the Mulvane Art Museum in Kansas, and the Salmugundi Club in New York, among others. His paintings are included in numerous collections, notably the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Academy of Design, the International Baha'i Center in Israel, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.