Julien Dillens (1849-1904) was President and founder member, with Leon Herbo, of L'Essor. He won the Prix de Rome in 1827 for La Justice and was commissioned by Leopold II to decorate parts of the Royal Castle at Laeken.

P. & V. Berko, Dictionary of Belgian painters born between 1850-1875, p. 252, quotes E. L. de Taeye:

"Three words summarize the aesthetics of J. Dillens: truth, style, character. Truth is featured by his love for nature and for the model he has before his eyes; style relates to his antiquity-worship, and character denotes his firm willingness to be both highly individual and quite mondern."