The son of Joseph Severn, the artist and friend of John Keats, the artist studied in Paris and Rome and first exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1862, at Whistler’s suggestion. He was a founder member of the Arts Club and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours who exhibited widely throughout his career.

Arthur married Joan Agnew, a cousin of John Ruskin in 1871. When Ruskin moved from Denmark Hill in South London to Brantwood on Coniston Water in the Lake District the Severns accompanied him and remained part of the household until his death.

Arthur Severn's recollections of Ruskin, edited by James Dearden, were published in 1967 under the title The Professor.