Thomas Pennethorne (1799–1819) had a precocious talent for drawing. His father, also Thomas, was a first cousin of the wife of John Nash (1752–1835)—one of the foremost British architects of the Regency and Georgian eras. Nash's designs included the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Marble Arch, and Buckingham Palace. Nash took an interest in Thomas and his brothers, with the ultimate intention of passing on his large and lucrative practice to one of them.

Thomas, being the eldest son, was the first to benefit from Nash's instruction, visiting him at his castle in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. His promising future was, however, cut tragically short when he died aged just twenty in 1819. Opportunity now fell to his younger brother, James, went on to become a noted architect and planner, and was knighted in 1870.

An album of 'Sketches from Nature' by Thomas Pennethorne sold at Christie's, 14 June 1983, lot 6, which were subsequently dismembered. It is possible that the present drawings derive from this album.