Revered Scottish artist Jack Vettriano dies aged 73

Painter best known for his work The Singing Butler was found dead at his apartment in Nice on Saturday

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Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has died in France aged 73.

Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan, in Methil, Fife, was found on Saturday in his apartment in Nice, his publicist said.

It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances around his death.

His works garnered international acclaim, leading to exhibitions in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York.

His 1992 painting the The Singing Butler is among his most famous works and shows an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by their butler and maid, becoming a best-selling image in Britain.

Jack Vettriano factbox

Jack Vettriano was born in November, 1951. His most famous work was arguable the Singing Butler. Vettriano’s net worth is not in the public domain, but his paintings would sell for us much as £500,000 at auction. In 2017, he was part of a trio of artists alongside John Byrne and Rachel Maclean to paint separate Billy Connolly portraits. He died in March, 2025, in his apartment in Nice, France.

Among those to have acquired Vettriano paintings were Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice and Robbie Coltrane.

The Singing Butler is one of Jack Vettriano’s most famous works

PA

Vettriano left school at 15 to become a mining engineer but took up painting after a girlfriend gave him a box of watercolours for his 21st birthday.

The self-taught artist drew inspiration from works at Kirkcaldy Galleries, studying paintings from artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart so intently that he feared arousing the suspicions of gallery staff.

His breakthrough came in 1998 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual show and both sold on the first day, inspiring him to become a full-time artist.

His publicist said in a statement: "Jack Vettriano's passing marks the end of an era for contemporary Scottish art.

"His evocative and timeless works will continue to captivate and inspire future generations."

The first major retrospective of Vettriano's work was held in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow in 2013.

It attracted more than 136,000 visitors during its five-month run and was said to be the most successful commercial exhibition ever staged in Glasgow at that time.

Jack Vettriano with his work The Missing Man II at Bonhams auctioneers in Edinburgh in 2015

PA Wire

A further retrospective was held at Kirkcaldy Galleries in 2022, focusing on his formative years and early career.

Vettriano created a portrait for one of the giant murals of Billy Connolly installed in Glasgow in 2017 to mark the comedian's 75th birthday.

A reimagining of The Singing Butler by artist Banksy, named Crude Oil (Vettriano) and owned by Blink-182 star Mark Hoppus, is to go to auction in London on Tuesday where it is estimated to fetch between £3 million and £5 million.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney was among those to pay tribute to Vettriano.

He posted on X, formerly Twitter: "I am very sorry to hear the news that Jack Vettriano has died. He made a unique and evocative contribution to artistic life in Scotland in such compelling style. My condolences to his family."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute, posting on social media: "Very sad news. Jack Vettriano was an iconic Scottish artist. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

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