Hennie Niemann Snr was born in Bloemfontein in 1941. His passion for art was evident from a young age and after teaching for 19 years, he decided to pursue a career as a full-time artist. In 1983, he relocated to Onrus in the Western Cape's Overberg region, encouraged by his friend and fellow artist, Gregoire Boonzaier – who also became his neighbour and painting companion.

During his tenure as a teacher at Tweespruit Agricultural School, Niemann formed a friendship with Father Frans Claerhout, another influential figure in his artistic journey. Niemann's paintings reflect the impact of both Claerhout and Boonzaier, particularly in their style and subject matter. Niemann is well-known for his beloved motifs of Harvesters and Fynbos Pickers.