Marco Grubas or Grubacs was born in Venice in 1839, the son of the artist Carlo Grubacs. His father's family was originally from Montenegro but had settled in Italy during the mid 1800’s. His brother Giovanni was also an artist. Grubas studied painting from an early age and was probably taught art by his father as their style and subject matter are similar.

Like his father, he specialised in architectural views of Venice known as Verduta painting in the tradition of 17th and 18th century artists such as Canelletto. He spent his life living and working in Venice and would have found a ready market amongst the wealthy Grand Tourists who flocked to the famous City.