Painting of 'unknown' Sir Sean Connery to be publicly displayed

A RARE nude painting of Sir Sean Connery made when he was a young unknown is to go on public display for the first time.

• A young Sir Sean Connery posed for art students

The portrait of the James Bond star wearing only a g-string was completed in the 1950s just before he shot to fame.

The oil on canvas was discovered among a private collection of 500 works found following the death of Rab Webster.

He was a former student at the Edinburgh College of Art where Sir Sean posed for pupils before he got his big break in the stage production of South Pacific which eventually led to his role as Bond and international stardom.

The paintings and drawings will go on exhibition in Mr Webster's home town of Selkirk in the Borders on Saturday.

The former art teacher died last October at the age of 83 and it was when relatives were clearing out his home that the portrait of Sir Sean, now 80, painted in 1951, was discovered.

It will be part of a selection of the massive collection going on display at Halliwell House Museum's "Oor Rob" exhibition.

Scottish Borders Council's visual arts officer Elizabeth Hume said: "I read about the discovery of the Sir Sean Connery painting last year.

"I am always on the look out for quirky and interesting exhibitions for the museum and felt Rab's paintings and story fitted the bill."

Sir Sean had turned to modelling to supplement his income as a milkman and bricklayer when he lived in Edinburgh.