Born in Gent on January 2, 1821, Adolph received his formal training from his older brother Hendrick Joseph Dillens (1812 – 1872), who himself was a pupil at the Academy of Gent and Maes Canini.

Like his brother, Adolph specialized in genre scenes and portrait painting; however he was also an accomplished engraver and drawer.  He spent a majority of his career working in Zeeland where he became known for his realistic anecdotes.

Today his works can be found in museums in Brussels, Ixelles and Brugge.