Joseph O'Reilly was born into a family of humble background in Upper Grangegorman, Dublin in 1865. He studied at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) Schools from 1884-1888, and he was soon regarded as a brilliant student. He won a large number of prizes, and was already exhibiting pictures at the RHA and Royal Dublin Society (RDS). In 1885 he was awarded a bronze medal, and he won a silver medal for Life Drawing.
O'Reilly became a friend of Walter Osborne, who greatly admired his work. Osborne a
nd many of his circle had studied in Antwerp; however, it was to Paris that he encouraged O'Reilly to go to continue his art education. There he was a pupil, not in the popular Academie Julian, but in the Academie of Delecluse, at 84, Rue Notre Dame des Champs, Montparnasse, c.1888-89.
O'Reilly exhibited at the RHA, 1885-1893, and many pictures at the Dublin Sketching Club, 1887-1892. Such was the esteem with which he was held that he was elected an associate of the RHA on 18 October 1892. However he contracted tuberculosis, and died on 31 March 1893, aged only twenty eight, '...thus closing at an early age what promised to be a brilliant and successful career.' (W.G.Strickland). O'Reilly was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, the presence of Osborne, Moynan, Allan and Alfred Grey at his funeral indicating the respect with which he was held by his fellow artists.
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