Ronald Ossory Dunlop RA (1894-1973): Expressive brushstrokes

A wonderful impasto “alla prima”painter, often choosing landscapes and waterways

Ronald Ossory Dunlop RA (1894–1973) was more than just a painter—he was a vibrant force in 20th-century British and Irish art, a writer, a rebel, and a man whose life was steeped in mysticism, emotion, and artistic fervour.

Born in Dublin on 28 June 1894 into a Scottish-Irish Quaker family, Dunlop’s upbringing was anything but ordinary. His father, Daniel Nicol Dunlop, was a prominent figure in the Theosophical and Anthroposophical movements, and a close friend of literary giants like W. B. Yeats, George Russell (Æ), and James Stephens. His mother, Eleanor Fitzpatrick, was a talented watercolourist, and her artistic influence clearly left a mark on young Ronald.

The family moved to New York in 1899 and then to London in 1902, but they maintained strong ties to Ireland, returning annually for the Dublin Horse Show. Dunlop’s early education at the Friends' School in Saffron Walden—a Quaker institution—nurtured his pacifist beliefs and artistic talents. His father, however, disapproved of his artistic ambitions, fearing financial instability. This tension led to a strained relationship; they were known to travel in separate train carriages, not out of hostility, but mutual emotional distance.

Despite this, Dunlop pursued art with determination. He studied at the Manchester School of Art, Wimbledon College of Art, and later in Paris, where he absorbed the works of Pissarro and Sisley, whose impressionistic styles deeply influenced his own. He also worked in advertising and commercial art to support himself, all while honing his craft in a small studio at home.

In 1923, Dunlop founded the Emotionist Group, a collective of artists, writers, and musicians who believed that art should express the essence of life. Among its members were painter Jean Shepeard, illustrator Clifford Hooper Rowe, and actress Peggy Ashcroft. Dunlop’s manifesto was simple yet profound: “Art is the expression of the essence of life.”

His first solo exhibition came in 1928 at the Redfern Gallery in London, and from there, his reputation grew. He exhibited widely—at the Royal Academy, New English Art Club, Royal Hibernian Academy, and more. In 1950, he was elected a full member of the Royal Academy, a testament to his standing in the art world.

Dunlop’s style was bold and painterly, often working alla prima—directly onto the canvas without preliminary sketches. His subjects ranged from landscapes and seascapes to portraits and still lifes, all infused with a sense of immediacy and emotional depth. His works are held in prestigious collections, including the Tate Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, and Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum.

He also wrote extensively on art, producing books like Modern Still Life Painting in Oil, Understanding Pictures, and his autobiography Struggling with Paint (1956), which offers a candid glimpse into his artistic journey.

Later in life, Dunlop settled in Barnham, West Sussex, near Chichester, where he continued to paint and write until his death in 1973. Though he achieved fame during his lifetime, his legacy has been complicated by the proliferation of forgeries—his distinctive style made his work both recognisable and, unfortunately, imitable.

Source: Various webpages and articles