Although less well known, Donowell stands beside Thomas Sandby and Thomas Malton as one of the leading architect-draughtsmen in the third quarter of the 18th century. An exhibitor at the Free Society (1761), the Society of Artists (1762-70) and the Royal Academy (1778-86), he had a number of his drawings engraved, one of the earliest being of this view, published in 1761.

The gardens, on the east side of Marylebone High Street, were open to the public as early as 1688, when Samuel Pepys recorded a visit in his diary. By 1760 they had become one of London's most fashionable pleasure gardens but despite the attraction of music, firework displays and balloon ascents, the popularity of Marylebone declined rapidly and the gardens were closed at the end of the season of 1777-78.