Ma Yuru was born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province in 1931. He graduated in 1955 from the Zhejiang Art Academy and took up teaching. Ma is known for his oil paintings. In his early years, he followed well-known artist Su Tianci. His painting style was influenced by Lin Fengmian, Guan Liang and Hu Shanyu as well as Su Tianci. He now heads the Middle School attached to the Zhejiang Art Academy.