Roland Ossory Dunlop 1894-1973

Ronald Ossory Dunlop was an Irish-born painter whose art includes gently expressive landscapes, often imbued with a sense of atmosphere and ease. Educated at the Manchester School of Art, Wimbledon College of Art, and in Paris, he painted in a fluid, ‘alla prima’ style—deploying loose brushwork and richly tonal colour to capture rural and coastal scenes, village streets, and quiet countryside moments. His work was not about groundbreaking innovation, but about delivering scenes that delight with painterly charm and decorative warmth.

Dunlop exhibited widely, showing his landscapes—alongside portraits, still life, and figure studies—at institutions such as the Royal Academy, the New English Art Club, the Royal Hibernian Academy, and others. From 1923, he led the Emotionist Group, and later joined the London Group in 1931, though he remained rooted in traditional subject matter and a direct method of execution. In 1950, he became a full member of the Royal Academy.

While Dunlop may not stand at the vanguard of twentieth-century art movements, his paintings have enduring value. His scenes of countryside paths, homes, rivers, and coastal light retain a timeless appeal that suits domestic interiors and collectors seeking atmospheric compositions.