Jack Vettriano: The Scottish Painter Who Defied Critics and Won Hearts
Image credits: Anita Russo/Rex
Jack Vettriano, the self-taught Scottish painter, has been found dead in his apartment in Nice, France, at the age of 73. Born Jack Hoggan on November 17, 1951, in Methil, Fife, Vettriano left school at 15 to become a mining engineer but took up painting after a girlfriend gave him a box of watercolors for his 21st birthday. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual show, both of which sold on the first day, inspiring him to become a full-time artist.
Vettriano's works, often featuring elegant men and women on dreamlike beaches, drew international acclaim, leading to exhibitions in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, and New York. However, his art was not without controversy, as many critics dismissed his work as derivative and lacking in technical skill. Despite this, Vettriano won over several celebrity fans, including Jack Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, Tim Rice, and Robbie Coltrane, who appreciated his unique style and technique. His most famous painting, "The Singing Butler," became a bestselling image in Britain, with reproductions selling in their thousands.
Throughout his career, Vettriano was known for his passion for painting and his ability to capture moments of intrigue, romance, and nostalgia. His works often featured women as the central subject, and he was obsessed with their relationships with men. Despite being shunned by critics, Vettriano's art raised eternal questions about the relationship between art and commerce. He was a skilful manipulator of the media, and his work was often described as "strictly for voyeurs." Vettriano's life and work were inextricable, and he was happy to share his personal experiences and struggles with the public.
Some of Vettriano's notable works include "The Singing Butler," "Mad Dogs," "Back Where You Belong Jack," "Suddenly One Summer," and "The Big Tease." His exhibitions were often highly successful, with his 2002 exhibition in New York attracting buyers from Britain and requiring ticketing due to high demand. Vettriano was also appointed OBE in 2003 and was the subject of a hagiographical South Bank Show, as well as monographs and a biography. In 2017, he was one of three artists commissioned to paint portraits of Billy Connolly to celebrate the comedian's 75th birthday.
Here are some of the notable events and exhibitions in Vettriano's career:
- 1998: Submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual show, both of which sold on the first day
- 2002: Exhibited in New York, with buyers flying in from Britain and demand requiring ticketing
- 2003: Appointed OBE
- 2005: Banksy created a satirical painting titled "Crude Oil (Vettriano)" based on "The Singing Butler"
- 2012: Convicted of drink-driving and amphetamine possession
- 2017: Commissioned to paint portraits of Billy Connolly to celebrate the comedian's 75th birthday
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