Arthur Rider was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1885 where he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. While learning his craft, Rider earned a living painting for opera companies in Chicago and London. He attended the Academies Julian and Colarossi in Paris and spent many summers painting in Spain where he met Joaquin Sorolla, a major influence in his work. Rider moved to southern California in 1924 where he exhibited extensively and was a highly sought scene painter for Hollywood studios. Rider died in Pasadena in 1975.