Henri Manguin was born in Paris on March 23, 1874. Late in 1894 he entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts to study under Gustave Moreau. He became good friends with his fellow students Albert Marquet, Henri Matisse and Jean Puy. Like his companions, Manguin made copies of Renaissance art in the Louvre. Manguin was very much influenced by impressionism as seen in his use of bright pastel hues.

He married in 1899 and made numerous portraits of his wife, Jeanne and their family. In 1902 Manguin had his first exhibit at the Salon des Independants and d'Automne. Many of his paintings were of Mediterranean landscapes and represented the height of his career as a Fauve artist. He traveled extensively with Albert Marquet throughout Southern Europe.

It was in 1904 that Manguin discovered Saint-Tropez. He was struck by the light and beauty of the vegetation and is known to have created several major works there. He later returned to Europe where he spent much of his time in France.

He returned to Saint-Tropez in 1949 and died there the same year at the age of 75.