Henri Lehmann's earliest artistic training came from his father, a portrait and miniature painter. He went to Paris in 1831 at the age of seventeen and joined the studio of Auguste Ingres at the recommendation of a family friend where he could maintain his interests in classical art. He became one of Ingres' most accomplished pupils. His skill in draftsmanship and the range of his abilities nearly equalled that of his teacher.

Lehmann submitted his first Salon paintings in 1835 and won a second class medal. He continued painting potraits, historical, allegorical and literary paintings in these genres throughout his life, drawing from sources including classical mythology, Shakespeare, and contemporary writers.

From 1838-1841, Lehmann resumed his artistic education in Rome where he lived. He worked closely with Ingres who was now the director of the French Academy. His training was strengthened through his exposure with the High Renaissance Italian painting and classical monuments.

In 1842 Lehmann returned to Paris where he became a French citizen and lived for the rest of his life. He exhibited frequently at the Salon, received many government and church decorative commissions. He was awarded a professorship at the École des Beaux-Arts where he taught many known artists, including Edmond François Aman-Jean. He also founded the Lehmann Prize to recognize academic excellence in students.