Maltese artist George Fenech died at Mater Dei Hospital early this morning, aged 85, his family said.
The painter, who is best known for his Maltese landscapes, hailed from Mellieha.
He studied art at the School of Arts, at the Regia Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome and at the Scuola Arti Ornamentali San Giacomo.
He put up several exhibitions and was last year given the National Order of Merit.
George was married to Doris and they had two sons, Conrad and Gilbert.
His funeral is on Tuesday.
The Nationalist Party and the Mellieha council expressed condolences.