She was educated in drawing by the professor and copper engraver Christian Forssell (1777–1852); she had already received education in art by architect and artist Alexander Hambré (1790-1818) and was now taught to make quick and realistic portrait drawings in lead and chalk.

[3] [4] She began to draw the friends of the Forsell family, where she lived, and soon it became fashionable in high society to be portrayed by "mamsell Röhl", and she was able to support herself as an artist.

She was much employed by those who couldn't pay to be painted in oil, and drew a large number of famous Swedes of the time, both aristocrats and actors.

Maria Röhl did paint in oil, but the majority of her work are drawings in lead and chalk.

During her last years, the art of photography became a harsh rival to her drawn portraits.