Hendrik Kobell, a painter and etcher, was born and died in Rotterdam and was originally destined for a career in business. He received training as an artist during a business stay in England 1770-71, as well as in Amsterdam. He travelled throughout France, but returned to Rotterdam in 1773. While in England he exhibited a picture of a sea fight at the Free Society in 1770, and it is likely that this watercolour was painted in England.