Valletta council has celebrated the life and career of Valletta-born artist Joseph Caruana, who passed away recently.

National Museum of Fine Arts curator Sandro Debono held a talk, after which the Caruana family presented a full-length portrait by their late father to mayor Alexiei Dingli in memory of their father’s artistic contribution to the community.

Born in 1924, Caruana belongs to the generation of Maltese artists who studied with Robert and Edward Caruana Dingli at the Malta Government School of Art. He was at the forefront of the local art scene and a founding member of the Modern Art Group, established in the immediate post-war years.

Caruana exhibited regularly in art shows held locally and abroad and his works brought him fame and recognition. His repertoire is broad enough to include carnival grotesque masks and carnival floats, portraiture and still life.

The National Museum of Fine Arts (Heritage Malta) holds a fine portrait acquired shortly before he passed away.