James Hunter (1755–1792) was a British military officer and artist who served as a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in British India during the late 18th century. His role as a military artist, particularly during the campaigns against Tipoo Sultan in South India, has left behind a significant visual record of the region during this period. Serving under Marquess Cornwallis, Hunter's sketches captured both military life and the everyday scenes of the South Indian landscape, making him one of the key figures documenting life in the Kingdom of Mysore during the late 18th century.

Hunter’s military career saw him involved in various campaigns, most notably during the conflict with Tipoo Sultan, leading to the siege and eventual defeat of Tipoo’s forces at Seringapatam in 1792. After peace was secured, Hunter, alongside Lieutenant C. Gold, created sketches that depicted scenes of life in India, capturing not only the military action but also landscapes, architectural structures, and the customs of the local people. These works were later published by C. Gold under the title Oriental Drawings and garnered attention in England as valuable representations of Indian culture.

In 1804, Picturesque Views in the Kingdom of Mysore was published in London by Edward Orme, showcasing 40 of Hunter's sketches. This publication, part of A Brief History of Ancient and Modern India, remains an important visual document, providing a window into South Indian life, including locations such as Bangalore, Mysore, Madras, and other key sites. His works were engraved through the aquatint process by Joseph C. Stadler, J. B. Harraden, and H. Merke, ensuring that they could be widely disseminated and appreciated in England. These images, often tied to the turbulent era of Hyder Ali and Tipoo Sultan, became a significant reference for British understanding of India at the time.

Hunter’s death in May 1792, shortly after the conclusion of the Mysore campaigns, ended a promising artistic career. His burial site is at the Old Cemetery in Vellore, marked by a memorial raised by his brother, Arthur Hunter. Despite his early death, James Hunter's contributions to military art and his visual documentation of India remain highly regarded. His paintings not only depict the military engagements of the British in South India but also reflect the natural beauty and everyday life of the region, making his work a vital part of British-Indian historical records.