Ernest Martin Hennings (February, 1886–1956) was an American artist. Born in Pennsgrove, New Jersey, and raised in Chicago by German immigrant parents, he became a highly recognized painter and early member of the Taos Society of Artists.
He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and then for five years at the Art Institute of Chicago from which he graduated with honors. After working six years as a commercial artist, he enrolled in 1914 at the Munich Academy in Germany where he learned to paint in the style of academic realism. In January of 1914, Hennings became a member of the American Artists Club in Munich with fellow Taos Society of Artists Victor Higgins and Walter Ufer and close friend, painter Louis Grell.
Before World War I escalated, Hennings relocated back to his hometown of Chicago and initially resided at the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Ave, where Louis Grell would join him for a short period before the two decided to get studios at the famous Tree Studio artist colony in Chicago's near North side. Hennings would live there for many years and have return visits when exhibiting at the Art Institute and elsewhere around Chicago during his Taos years.
Hennings travelled extensively in Germany and Europe, Morocco and Mexico, exhibiting at one man shows in America and New Mexico. He received many awards in his lifetime both in America and in Europe.
Hennings would later become a member of the Taos Society of Artists in New Mexico painting the Pueblo Indians in outdoor settings.