A MAJOR summer exhibition devoted to the Irish artist Seán Keating (1889-1977) has opened at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork and will run until October 27th.

One of Ireland’s most admired artists, Keating is best known for his paintings of the War of Independence, especially the famous Men Of The South and his painting of life on the Aran Islands.

The exhibition, curated by art historian and Keating expert, Dr Éimear O’Connor also features several little-known examples of his work including Portrait of President Cosgrave (1923).

The painting has never been shown in any gallery before and was discovered “rolled up in the artist’s studio” by Dr O’Connor and framed for this exhibition. WT Cosgrave was the first head of government in Ireland following Independence and arguably the country’s greatest politician.

His official title was President of the Executive Council. The term Taoiseach came into use only in the 1930s.

His son Liam Cosgrave served as taoiseach in the 1970s.

Entry is free and the exhibition is open daily (except Sundays) from 10am-5pm with late opening until 8pm on Thursdays.