His birthday could not be determined precisely as he was abandoned on March 20, 1890, at an orphanage with a note that stated "This kid has been baptized, and his name is Benito Juan Martín".

From his physical appearance, the nuns who found him deduced that he should be around twenty days old; thus March 1 is regarded as his birthday.

At the age of 14 he attended a modest night school of art in La Boca while working during day on the family's coal-yard.

By the 1920s Marcelo T. de Alvear and his wife were very fond of Quinquela Martín's works, and this admiration led to a lasting friendship.

In 1927 he left for New York City, where he arrived Benito on board the SS American Legion on January 17, 1928.

The Museum of Modern Art of Rome acquired several paintings which were chosen by Benito Mussolini during the display.

He died on January 28, 1977, in Buenos Aires, of heart complications, and was buried in La Chacarita Cemetery.