Aaron Bohrod was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 21, 1907. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League of New York, eventually earning Guggenheim fellowships which permitted him to travel throughout the country, painting and recording the American scene. His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists in New York. During World War II, Bohrod worked as an artist, first in the Pacific for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, then in Europe for Life magazine.

In 1948, he accepted a position as artist in residence, succeeding John Steuart Curry, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and remained in that capacity until 1973. Bohrod developed the Trompe-l'oeil style of highly decorative, detailed still life paintings which gives an illusion of real life. It was this style with which he became internationally identified. Aaron Bohrod died on April 3, 1992, at the age of 84.

His works can be found in the collections of many American museums, and the Aaron Bohrod Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley was named in his honor. (from State of Wisconsin, 1991–92 Legislature, Assembly Joint Resolution 149) Studied: Crane College, Chicago; Art Institute of Chicago; Art Students League with John Sloan; Boardman Robinson; K.H. Miller; Charles Locke; Richard Lahey; Todros Geller. Member: F., Guggenheim Fnd. Exhibited: Art Institute of Chicago, 1933-35 (prizes), 1937 (prize), 1945 (prize); Golden Gate Exposition, San Francisco, 1939 (prize); Carnegie Institute, 1939 (prize); Calif WCS, 1940 (prize); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1942 (prize); Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1943 (prize). Work: Metropolitan Museum of Art; Whitney Museum of American Art; Art Institute of Chicago; BM; Baltimore Museum of Art; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Corcoran Gallery of Art; Sope Gal A; Walker A. Center; Butler Al; Telfair Acad A; Cranbrook Acad A; murals, USPOs, Vandalia, Clinton, Galesburg, IL. Position: A; War Correspondent (European Theater Operations), Life 1943-45.