Born in Scotland. Came to South Asia long before the partition. After Independence opted for Pakistan. Settled first in Quetta, then Rawalpindi. Specialized in battle scenes, army officer's and society portraits.

The occasional landscapes he painted were indebted to Western style of perspective and were realistically rendered.

Landscapes by Petman are rare. This painting was probably executed during the mid-fifties as the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal was completed in 1953/54 and the cupolas of the gateway had been restored. Particularly striking is the Punjab sunlight which has been captured against what is clearly a nineteenth century European sky. Reminiscent of constable.