Richard Orpen RHA
Artist Bio
Richard Orpen (1863-1938) was a Dublin born landscape painter, cartoonist and architect, as well as the brother of renowned artist Sir William Orpen. He studied at St Columba’s College in Rathfarnham and Trinity College in Dublin.
Originally desiring a career in art, he went on to train in architecture in the office of Thomas Drew, staying on there as managing assistant. Orpen was involved with the revival of the Architectural Association of Ireland, opened his own practice in 1888 and was appointed architect to a number of key projects, including several cathedrals. He was also employed as an illustrator numerous times, notably as chief cartoonist of Percy French’s comic magazine The Jarvey.
The artist exhibited over a hundred paintings and architectural drawings with the Royal Hibernian Academy, acting as it's secretary (1914-1917) and serving as president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. He also showed work at the Water Colour Society of Ireland and was involved with both the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland and the United Arts Club in Dublin.