Pieter Rottie received his training as a painter at the Antwerp Academy.
In the late 1920s, Rotie joined the Modern Art group, which also included Gerard Baksteen, Ernest Albert, Paul Joostens, Franck Mortelmans, Edmond Van Dooren and Albert Poels.

Rottie evolved into a rather classic yet very recognizable style. This is especially apparent in his portraits. His small oeuvre was also little known during his lifetime.

He deliberately chose the isolation of the Kalmthoutse Heide. There he had a small modernist house built for his family. Five years before his death, the Antwerp academy appointed him. He returned to his hometown. Rottie died there at the age of 51.

His name lives on today in the Pieter Rottiestraat.