Barely a year after his death, artist George Fenech is being doubly honoured.

At the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, an exhibition of his most signal works is being held (until September) and on Friday, it served as the backdrop for the launching of a massive book about the artist’s times and works.

The exhibition and the launch were presided over by Professor Mario Buћagiar, the head of the History of Art Department at the university and a personal friend of the artist.

What was quite surprising, however, was the number of people – mostly people from his home town of Mellieћa – that have an example of work for the artist, quite humble and unassuming, gave of his art liberally to all.

Prof. Buћagiar spoke about not only his nude paintings (on exhibit) but also his religious works, such as his quite amazing Deposition.

Lino Borg, a student and also a friend, described how Mr Fenech used to infuse enthusiasm in his students.

Mellieћa was his first inspiration: he always highlighted the quality of light to be found there and the last rays of the sun on rock formations around the village.

George Fenech was traumatised by the war. Then he went to study in Rome and this marked yet another development of his art (although, as Prof. Buћagiar recounted, his mother always told him he had drawn better before he went to Rome).

The last speaker at the launch was Joseph Paul Cassar, co-author with Mr Borg of the book The Art and Life of George Fenech 1926-2011, which takes readers on a comprehensive journey through Fenech’s life as a child, as a young man, a husband, a father and a teacher, with a commentary on how these different stages of life are reflected in his work.

The book is illustrated with over 500 plates which vividly portray the artist’s life along with hundreds of his works, from still-life to portraits to idyllic countryside landscapes.

It is available for €70 and a percentage of the sale proceeds will be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund and Arka Foundation in Gozo.

Prof. Cassar said the book had been long in coming, with most of it being prepared when the artist was still alive. This book is a work of love: it is becoming more and more difficult to publish such books and most publishers are getting scared of such ventures due to rising costs. Yet, somehow, each year sees such books being courageously published.

Prof. Cassar also explained how, despite the fact that Mr Fenech painted in oil on canvas, his paintings do not shine and reflect light. This was, he explained, because he had studied the art of the fresco while he was in Italy and had tried to replicate it in his paintings.