Adam's auctioneers is hosting a month-long summer exhibition from Tuesday titled Gerard Dillon, Art and Friendships and featuring more than 100 paintings by the Belfast-born painter (1916-1971) and some of his contemporaries including fellow-Northern Irish artists Daniel O'Neill and George Campbell.

David Britton of Adam's said the exhibition – the works are not for sale – would feature paintings "spanning Dillon's career from the 1940s up until he died in 1971 and will be the biggest exhibition of his work since his 1972 retrospective".

Dillon began to paint pictures in 1930 after working as a painter and decorator in London. The record price for his work was achieved at Sotheby's, London, in 2007 when his Self-Portrait in Roundstone made £192,000 (€224,466).

The highest price paid at auction in Ireland was €200,000 for Omey Island Race Days at De Veres in 2008.
Gerard Dillon, Art and Friendships Adam's, St Stephen's Green, until July 26th; at the Ava Gallery, Clandeboye Estate, Co Down, August 1st-29th. – MP