Charles James Lewis (1830–1892) was a prolific and very popular painter of rustic genre scenes and landscapes. His work in watercolour was most highly regarded and in 1882 he was elected a member of the Institute of Painters in Water-Colours. He also became a member of the Institute of Painters in Oil Colours. He was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, the Society of British Artists and the British Institution. He was born, lived and died in Chelsea, London.