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Two large paintings by renowned British international artist Victor Pasmore have been donated to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta.

This marks another “key donation to the national collection, which has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Pasmore family, who have identified Heritage Malta as a safe repository and the best means to conserve, interpret, care for and display these two treasured and important works,” the national agency for cultural heritage said.

“The two iconic paintings are a most welcome addition to the national collection, especially the increasing contemporary art collection, managed by Heritage Malta in view of establishing a Contemporary Art Museum.”

One is the last work by Mr Pasmore, who lived in Malta from the mid-1960s until his death. It was completed shortly before he died in 1998 and is typical of the style he developed while living here.

The second picture, a screen print on canvas, is one of his rare works, with printed text illustrating one of his numerous poems.

The complex conservation and restoration project for both paintings was undertaken by Heritage Malta’s expert team of conservators.

The Victor Pasmore Donation: A Gift to the National Collection exhibition can be viewed at the museum in South Street every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.