Jack Vettriano, a renowned Scottish painter, was found dead at his apartment in Nice, France, on Saturday. Born as Jack Hoggan on November 17, 1951, in Methil, Fife, Vettriano left school at the age of 15 to become a mining engineer. However, his passion for painting was ignited when a girlfriend gifted him a box of watercolors for his 21st birthday.

Initially self-taught, Vettriano drew inspiration from works at the Kirkcaldy Galleries, studying paintings by artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart. He even feared being suspicious to the gallery staff due to his intense study. Vettriano’s breakthrough came in 1998 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual show, which sold on the first day. This led him to become a full-time artist.

Throughout his career, Vettriano’s works garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions held in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, and New York. Among his most famous paintings is “The Singing Butler,” created in 1992, depicting an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach with their butler and maid. This artwork became a best-selling image in Britain and sold at auction in 2004 for £744,500.

Vettriano’s paintings have been acquired by notable figures such as Jack Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, Tim Rice, and Robbie Coltrane. His publicist released a statement, expressing that Vettriano’s passing marks the end of an era for contemporary Scottish art. The statement also emphasizes that his evocative and timeless works will continue to captivate and inspire future generations.

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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/03/scottish-painter-jack-vettriano-dies