Arthur Batt was born in Coulsdon, a town in South London that now lies largely within the London Borough of Croydon. He began his formal artistic training in the studio of H. Morringer before continuing his studies at the Royal Institute, from which he graduated in 1864. To refine his technique and broaden his perspective, Batt undertook extensive study trips across continental Europe, particularly in France and Spain.
In 1868, following a successful exhibition, he was elected a member of the Madrid Art Society. After returning to England, he settled in the market town of Ramsey, located approximately 250 miles north of London.
Batt earned recognition for his finely detailed genre and animal scenes, many of which were painted on a small scale. His work was widely admired for its sensitivity and technical precision. He exhibited four paintings at the Royal Academy, including Silent Sympathy (1889), which was featured on the cover of The Graphic magazine on April 6, 1889. Beginning in 1879, he also exhibited 24 works at the Grafton Gallery and Suffolk Street. Many of his paintings were acquired by members of the British aristocracy and remain in private collections today.