Alfred Ernest Baxter was born and educated in Christchurch. He made frequent trips to the Otago region and Westland with artist Samuel Horatio Moreton. He became a professional artist, spending his later years in Europe after arriving there in 1929. Baxter travelled and painted with his good friend and fellow artist Sydney Lough Thompson, sharing his Concarneau studio while in Brittany. He returned to Christchurch in 1935 where he held a large exhibition. He passed away soon after at the aged fifty eight. Works are held in the collection of Hocken Library, Dunedin Art Gallery & Christchurch Art Gallery and are rarely offered for sale.

In August 2008 International Art Centre offered 17 repatriated watercolours from the United Kingdom of which all were from the artist's estate.

This work comes form a private collection in Australia.