Herman N. Hyneman was a noted American portrait and figure painter with ties to both Philadelphia and New York. He was born July 27,1849 to Leon and Adeline Hyneman in Philadelphia. ("Who Was Who in American Art" lists his birth date as either 1849 or 1859, but we have confirmed that the birth date is 1849).

Virtually nothing is known about his early years, but given the fact that the family resided in a wealthy section of Philadelphia and the fact that he traveled to Paris to study in the studio of Leon Bonnat when he was but 20 years old, it is presumed that the family was financially comfortable if not well to do. Hyneman exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1879 and 1881, which was quite an accomplishment given his tender age.

He returned to the United States in 1882 and after a year in Philadelphia, he established a studio at 58 West 57th Street, New York, NY, where he painted portraits to support himself and scenes of beautiful fair-skinned women walking in the snow to exhibit at major exhibitions throughout the United States.

Hyneman exhibited at the the Brooklyn Art Association in 1882, 1883 and 1884 and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1883 and 1888. Beginning in 1882 and continuing up until 1905, he exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design. Despite the fact that he exhibited fourteen paintings at the National Academy over a span of three different decades, he was never elected as a member.

In the 1880's his paintings sold for between $100 and $1500, which were substantial sums for that period. Hyneman also exhibited at the Salmagundi Club and the Philadelphia Art Club and was a member of each organization. He won a medal at the American Art Society in 1904 and also exhibited at the Chicago Art Institute. A handwritten label on one of his paintings indicates that he also exhibited in Budapest, Hungary.

In 1892, Hyneman married the noted artist Juliet Jolley (aka Jolly), who had previously modeled for him. Thereafter, they shared a studio and on at least one occasion exhibited together. The February 5, 1896 edition of the "New York Times" reported on a "pleasant studio reception" at 58 West 57th Street where the paintings of both Herman and Juliet were shown to members of New York Society including Mr. And Mrs. Edwin Blashfield.

At least one of Hyneman's Painting " A Sensation on Wall Street" which depicted a lovely young woman in fur coat with Muff in front of the Stock Exchange, was made into a post card and reproductions of his paintings are known to exist, although not plentiful. At least one etching is known, "Desdemona," which was reproduced in a book by Frederic Stokes.

Herman Hyneman passed away in Philadelphia in December 1907 after a long illness. The December 24, 1907 "New York Times" carried his obituary.

The New York Public Library collection has a painting of "Newsboys" in the snow, which has been recently been reproduced into a Christmas Card by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The DeYoung Art Museum holds Hyneman's etching in its permanent collection.