Schetky, the son of a Hungarian composer, was born in Edinburgh where he took lessons from Alexander Nasmyth and afterwards helped his mother run a drawing class for young ladies. After travelling in Europe he took up a series of posts teaching drawing, notably at the Naval Academy in Portsmouth from 1811 until 1836. He became Painter in Watercolours to the Duke of Clarence, and afterwards Marine Painter in Ordinary to George IV, and Queen Victoria. The drawing is signed.