If art were to redeem man, it could do so only by saving him from the seriousness of life

John Lennon

As well as the original pictures, several prints of other images inspired by Sean are also being shown.

John Lennon was born in Liverpool on 9 October, 1940.

Most famous for his work with in the Beatles, Lennon was also an artist and a published poet, but said himself that "art came first".

He married avant-garde artist Yoko Ono in 1969, shortly before embarking on their famous series of "bed-ins" aimed at spreading a message of world peace.

The Beatles split in 1970 after relations became strained.

John Lennon with his second wife Yoko Ono

Lennon carried on with a solo career before Sean was born in 1975.

He then took a five-year break to raise Sean before returning to the music world in 1980.

Lennon was shot by fan Mark Chapman on 8 December 1980, outside his home in New York.

At the time of his death, Lennon had saved and preserved several hundred drawings that he considered important, believing that art stopped him from taking things too seriously.

He said: "If art were to redeem man, it could do so only by saving him from the seriousness of life, and restoring him to an unexpected boyishness."

Imaginative thinker

In 1986, Yoko Ono, acting for the John Lennon Estate, began releasing some of the most meaningful drawings with the goal of re-establishing John Lennon as an important artist of his time.

A spokesperson for the gallery said: "John Lennon was one of the most imaginative thinkers of our time. Even before he was a Beatle, he was a poet, musician and artist.

"He was a loving, hands-on father to his son. It was a natural expression of his love for his child.

"He created delightful animal figures and drawings to teach, amuse and entertain him."

The exhibition, arranged by the Compton Cassey Gallery in Cheltenham, takes place at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach, between 7 and 9 November.