A SELECTION of celebrated artist Pro Hart's favourite works – including some of his last major pieces – will be displayed in an upcoming exhibition at Mooloolaba.

All of the more than 25 works, to be shown at David Hart Galleries from next Friday until June 13, are from the late artist's estate.

David Hart, an acclaimed artist in his own right, said yesterday there would not be many of his father's works left in the estate following the exhibition.

David described it as “quite an important exhibition”.

The exhibition marks what would have been the iconic artist's 83rd birthday.

“It's getting harder for us to obtain (his works), which is good … it creates a lot of demand,” David said. “When demand is there, it pushes prices up.”

David believed it was only the second exhibition of his father's works since his death in March, 2006, and he put its total value at about $500,000.

Pieces range in price from $9900 to $48,000.Some of the pieces are originals of prints.

“We've already pre-sold quite a few major works,” David said.

“We've had really strong interest, which is good.”

News of the exhibition comes as a Victorian artist discovered a painting he sold for $300 was later being passed off as a Pro Hart original for $5500.

John Cobby, of Vermont, said he could not believe it when he saw his painting renamed, framed and listed as a Pro Hart on the auction site Grays Online.