Located first in Chicago, Illinois, and later in Scottsdale, Arizona, O'Brien's was Chicago's first art gallery and one of the oldest family owned and operated galleries in the United States.
Opening as a frame shop in 1855, O'Brien's offered a variety of services to both artists and collectors. It was called by several names including O'Brien's Art Emporium, O'Brien Art Galleries, O'Brien Galleries, House of O'Brien, and M. O'Brien & Sons. The gallery remained in Chicago until 1941, closed during the war, and resumed operation in Scottsdale, Arizona in the 1950s.
Three generations of O'Briens (Martin, William, and William Jr.) ran the gallery before it moved to Arizona; all were committed to bringing culture and the visual arts to Chicago and supported and sold work by conservative academic painters. The business developed and reflected the tastes of many Chicagoans and was an important influence in shaping art collections and attitudes to art in the city.