Ernest David Bell (4 June 1915 – 21 April 1959) was an English-born writer and curator, who was a controversial figure in Welsh arts by challenging the country's artistic heritage, but was also a supporter of young Welsh talent in the field of contemporary arts in the 20th century.
Privately educated in England, Bell gained his first appreciation of the arts at Merchant Taylors' School.
He graduated from the Royal College of Art and joined the Egypt Exploration Society, working in Sesebi in the Sudan and Amarah in Iraq.
Although challenging the Welsh field of arts, Bell was a keen supporter of young talent in the country, and gave significant support to living artists, buying works from contemporary artists, such as Ceri Richards, for the Glynn Vivian Museum.
Bell's paintings are represented in the permanent collections of the Glyn Vivian Gallery and the National Museum of Wales.