Dermod O'Brien

Born in Cahermoyle, Co. Limerick, in 1865, to a wealthy landowning family, Dermod O'Brien was educated at Harrow and Cambridge. His family envisaged a career in the diplomatic service but following trips to Paris and Rome O'Brien determined to become a painter. He first studied in Antwerp under Charles Verlat, where he acquired a solid academic style, before attending the Academie Julian in Paris. He then completed his studies in London at the Slade, and after a few years working there he returned to Ireland where he established himself as a painter of portraits, landscapes and genre scenes. He was elected a member of the RHA in 1907 and President of the Academy three years later, a position he held until his death in 1945. O'Brien was very much involved in the arts in Ireland. In addition to his association with the RHA and his adherence to tradition in his work, O'Brien was supportive of the development of modern trends in Irish art, buying works by avant-garde artists.