His genre was particularly painting working men such as shepherds, crofters, pedlars, cobblers, fishermen and farm labourers.

Henderson studied at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh and started to work as a portrait painter but having done so for about twenty years he discovered his true vocation which was marine painting.

He marveled the painting of the sea in all its different conditions and light.

He also exhibited at the Royal Academy in London from 1871 to 1886 and in Suffolk Street Galleries from 1882 to 1884.

He was the President of the Glasgow Art Club, in which city he settled in 1852.