The late artist Aldo Micallef Grimaud had always wanted to hold an exhibition in aid of charity.

He would travel to Valletta from Sliema by ferry every day

Now, two years after he passed away, a tribute to him at the Presidential Palace will take the public on a nostalgic trail spanning seven decades, in an event aimed at raising funds for the Community Chest Fund.

The exhibition will be held between September 15 and 29, providing the public with the opportunity of purchasing some of the artist’s paintings dating back to 1941.

An accountant by profession, Chev. Micallef Grimaud was known as a society painter. His work includes landscapes, still-lifes and religious subjects, but he specialised in portraiture. Although he was a romantic and traditional artist, he had a contemporary touch that set him apart from other painters.

Chev. Micallef-Grimaud was admitted to the Malta Government School of Art when he was just 11 years old – a year earlier than was usually permitted.

“He would travel to Valletta from Sliema by ferry every day. Art was his main love... his life. And music was his second love,” his widow, Dame Mariucca Micallef Grimaud said.

Mr Micallef Grimaud had an outstanding career as a lyrical singer. He studied music and singing under Mro Anthony Muscat Azzopardi where he was also joined by Oreste Kirkop and Paul Asciak.

Later on, he continued his studies under the renowned Italian soprano Ravaglia Bonanno.

Mr Micallef Grimaud fell in love with Mariuccia Quattromani at the Government School of Art. She was at the time studying drawing under the tuition of Vincent Apap.

The couple married in 1951 and had three children, Mario Ivan, Nadine and Glorian.

A publication, penned by Lino Borg and Joseph Paul Cassar about the artist, will be launched during the exhibition.