Born in The Hague, Marcel van Eeden studied painting at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague from 1989 to 1993. He established his practice by developing a distinctive method of creating daily drawings that function as a continuous, non-linear narrative, often incorporating found imagery and historical references.

His signature style is defined by a rigorous use of black and white charcoal, creating high-contrast, photo-realistic compositions that evoke the atmosphere of the film-noir era. His projects often involve the systematic appropriation of visual material from the period before 1965, which he recontextualizes to explore themes of memory, history, and the passage of time.

Van Eeden gained significant international attention following his participation in the 2006 Berlin Biennale. He continues to maintain studios in both Zurich and The Hague, and his work is frequently exhibited in major institutions across Europe.