SEAN Keating, the Limerick-born artist whose raw, emotive work in the early part of the 20th century challenged notions of modern Irish culture, religion and history even as they were being forged, is the subject of a new exhibition at the Hunt Museum.

'Keating in Focus' contains a rare collection of paintings, sketches and personal correspondence that together build an intriguing picture of an artist who was a contradiction to his core.

The collection is curated by Dr Eimear O'Connor, a research fellow at UCD, who wrote her thesis on Keating. She explained that much emphasis has been placed on Keating's lesser known pieces, including work from his time as a student at the Limerick Technical School, so as to broaden the normal critique of the man, his methods and his politics.

"Keating is celebrated for his paintings of the Irish political situation between 1916 and 1924; iconic images of the Shannon Scheme and his representation of the people of the Aran Islands. Yet his career spanned 70 years and this work is but a part of his oeuvre which suggests that a reappraisal of his artistic output and method is long overdue," said Dr O'Connor.

To the fresh eye, Keating's work is stunningly personal. He places the human character, often portrayed by a member of his own family, at the centre of often broad missives on revolution, culture and faith. In the forlorn eyes of 'The Feast of St Bridgid' (1917) we see how the church all at once instilled belief, obligation and apathy in the Irish people.

Each piece in the exhibition is specifically placed so as to highlight the contrast in techniques and styles that defined Keating's development as a craftsman and a thinker, an evolution that is vivid in his depictions of the independence struggle.

In 'Men of The West' (1917) the armed struggle is depicted by defiance and heroic bravado. But a few yards away in 'On The Run, War of Independence' (1924) the protagonists are defined by boredom and isolation.

History has remembered Keating, who died in 1977, as a cynic and agitator. But Dr O'Connor's exhibition builds an image of Keating as an early revisionist; a man who challenged the same history he once extolled.

'Keating in Focus', which opens this Thursday and runs until September 9 includes a total of 33 works on loan from a number of galleries and private collectors.

The exhibition also provides an opportunity to focus on the minutiae of Keating's methods, from his use and re-use of cinefilm and photographic images taken from magazines and other publications, to his mesmeric charcoal sketches and early pieces of glasswork.

Ultimately, Hunt Museum director Virginia Teehan feels that the first full display of Keating's work in his home city will be the fitting setting for a modern reappraisal of his reflections on Ireland in the 20th century.

"The tantalising perspectives into previously unknown images and drawings, alongside the exhibition of ephemeral objects relating to Keating will offer scholars and the public alike the opportunity to review and re-consider the artist in terms of his entire career rather than specific, albeit important, moments," said Ms Teehan.

'Keating in Focus' runs from June 25 to September 9. For information, visit www.huntmuseum.com or call 061 312833