Mehmet Ruhi Arel, one of our marine painters, was born in Istanbul in 1880. His father is Halil İlhami Efendi from Galata. After primary school, he started the Naval School. After that, he entered Mekteb-i Bahriye-i Şahane (Naval Academy). When the calendars showed the year 1908, he graduated as a naval civil engineer. He was appointed as an art teacher internship to this school he graduated the same year. Ruhi Bey, who wanted to develop his interest in painting on a regular education, enrolled in Sanayi-i Nefise. Osman Hamdi Bey and Salvatore Valeri taught Ruhi Arel in this school. These teachers have a great share in reaching a superior skill, especially in drawing and watercolor. Arel graduated from Sanayi-i Nefise in 1909, winning the European painting contest held in the “Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi” located near Gülhane Park at that time. He was successful in the competition to send students to Europe. He gained the right to be an art student in Paris. Nefise spent five years as a student at the Common workshop at I'Ecole National Superiéur des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In this school, he learned the details of academic painting and was among the marine painters.

When World War I started in 1914, Mehmet Ruhi Bey returned to our country with his friends. He was appointed as a prospective teacher at the Academy and continued his artistic career as a lecturer. But after a certain time, he left his duty voluntarily because he found the art education in the Academy not suitable for the course of the age. She worked as an art teacher in places such as Darüleytam, Kabataş, Namık Kemal, and Girls Teacher Schools.

Arel, who is one of the strongest representatives of the Turkish impressionist generation, has also made ceramic works in his last years. While talking about his achievements in his composition and portraits, he made his name known as an artist who is also inclined to local life.

One of the important activities of the artist is the private workshop “Free Painting Workshop”, which he opened with İhsan Bey in 1922. The working style and general program of this workshop in Istanbul were published in 1922. This program is a guide for painters.

Mehmet Ruhi Arel, one of our marine painters, passed away in Istanbul on October 14, 1931, at the age of 51 and left behind a successful painting and maritime career.