[1] He was born in Christiania (now Oslo, Norway) to Christian Ludvig Diriks and Benedicte Henriette Munch.

[2] He began to study in Germany where he became acquainted with Norwegian and German painters Christian Krohg, Hans Gude, Frits Thaulow and Max Klinger.

He married in 1892, to Swedish-born artist and sculptor Anna Diriks (1870-1932) and settled in Drøbak.

[3] He is known for his naturalist outdoor paintings of clouds, rain squalls, snow flurry, storms and rough seas.

He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav, and Officer of the French Legion of Honour in 1920.