Petronella van Woensel was born in 1785 in a wealthy family. Because she turned out to have drawing talent, Petronella was taught at the age of 10 by the Hague still-life painter Jan van Os. She then specialized in making botanical drawings and painting still lifes of flowers, fruits and poultry. In contrast to many of her female contemporaries, Petronella van Woensel came out with her painting by regularly participating in De Tentoonstellingen van Levende Meesters (the Exhibitions of Living Masters).