Arthur Hardwick Marsh [also known as Arthur Hardwicke Marsh] was born in Manchester, Lancashire, England on 27 January 1842. After initially training as an architect, he decided to pursue a career as a painter. He took art classes in Manchester before moving to London where worked at the British Museum and the National Gallery while attending life classes at the Artists Society at Langham Place in the evenings. He then worked in Wales for a period before settling in Newcastle upon Tyne. In addition to his work as a painter, from c.1880 he worked as a designer for the Gateshead Glass Company. He also illustrated a few books. Marsh exhibited at the Royal Academy in London from 1868 to 1892. His work was also shown at the Fine Art Society, Dudley Gallery, Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours in London; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; Royal Birmingham Society of Artists; and at Manchester Academy of Fine Arts.