Osborne, Walter (1859–1903)

Irish painter, a leading artist of the later 19th century. Though a successful portraitist, Osborne's first love was landscape where he depicted the scenes from everyday rural and urban life for which he is best known and enduringly popular.

Born in Dublin into an artistic family, Osborne received his artistic training in Dublin. He continued his studies in Antwerp, Belgium, as a number of Irish artists did around this time. There, in common with many European artists of the day, he began to paint outdoors, hence his inclusion in the group known as the Irish Impressionists. During the 1880s he spent much of his time painting in France and England. Though impressionistic in their emphasis on the effects of light, these works demonstrate Osborne's concern with clarity of line and draughtsmanship, reflecting his sound academic training.

From 1892 Osborne lived permanently in Dublin. Some of his best-loved works, such as Dublin Park, Light and Shade (National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin) and Tea in the Garden (Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin), date from this period. He was elected a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1886 and through his teaching at the academy schools exerted an important influence on the next generation, most notably William Leech (1881–1968).