Wilhelm Meyerheim was born in Danzig, Germany (now Gdansk, Poland), into a family of extremely talented and successful artists. His father, a talented house painter who did portraits, gave him his initial training. This experience, combined with study in Danzig, soon compelled him to continue his education at the Academy in Berlin. It is possible the artist also studied in Dusseldorf, and he undoubtedly spent time sketching the peasantry around the countryside near Hesse and Tyrol.

Meyerheim became a popular painter of scenes of everyday outdoor life - simple activities which included children and horses - his favorite subject's - silhouetted against the sky. Besides these charming genre scenes, he was also well known for his military subjects. Meyerheim eventually settled in Berlin, working there until his death.