Artist Jack Vettriano dies aged 73
Artist Jack Vettriano has been found dead in his flat in France, his publicist has announced.
The body of the 73-year-old painter was found in the flat in Nice on Saturday. It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Born Jack Hogan, 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 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 works garnered international acclaim, leading to exhibitions in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York.
His 1992 painting The Singing Butler is among his most famed 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.
Among those to have acquired Vettriano paintings are Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice and Robbie Coltrane.
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Father and son say starring with Harrison Ford in whisky campaign was ‘surreal'
The episodic ads are directed by actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton, and feature the Star Wars actor playing himself as they follow the production of Glenmorangie Original 12 Years Old and The Infinita 18 Years Old, in Tain. The adverts, being shown on TV and social media and also available on YouTube, are said by Glenmorangie to celebrate 'the significance of its home, its craftsmanship and the people that make its award-winning whiskies'. Ford is shown on film getting to grips with Scottish pronunciation and kilt etiquette, bonding with locals over a dram, and getting to know the Duff family. In the second ad, The Campaign, Ford arrives and after mistaking Mr Duff Jnr for another Alan in another department, is given a lesson on how to pronounce Glenmorangie correctly. Mr Duff Jnr, a production operator, said: 'I was very proud to be chosen to play opposite Harrison. You knew you were in the presence of someone so successful, but he made us all feel so comfortable and gave me the advice to just be myself on screen.' He joined the distillery nine years ago after graduating from university, and said the Hollywood star made him forget they were being filmed. Mr Duff Jnr said: 'Filming the scene itself was a lot of fun, but totally surreal. He is such a good actor, I was in awe watching him and sometimes didn't know when he was in or out of character. 'He kept me on my toes when he went off script but gave me the space to wing it and bounce off of him, so much so I forgot the cameras were there. 'Not all fathers and sons have the opportunity to learn alongside each other so I consider myself lucky to get to work with my father every day, and sharing the experience acting alongside Harrison Ford together is something I'll never forget.' Promotional photograph of Harrison Ford wearing a kilt (Lachlan Bailey/PA) In the fifth advert, The Distillery, Ford meets the whole production team, including the father and son due, and he jokes to Mr Duff Snr: 'Ahhhh… he's your fault.' Ford then instructs Mr Duff Jnr: 'Look after me car' – a rare Eagle Speedster Jaguar E-type. In the 10th episode, called Teamwork, Ford raises his glass to toast 'the good people of Glenmorangy' – before being corrected again by Mr Duff Jnr, who tells him: 'It's Glenmorangie.' Mr Duff Snr, a production operator for nearly 30 years, said: 'I was quite nervous to 'act' alongside a global icon like Harrison Ford, but he was a gem of a guy and it was great to see him working. 'My son Alan managed to grow quite a rapport with him, so when Harrison uncovered the fact I was his father, we all had a joke about that.'
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Sir Alex Ferguson comes across emotional letter he sent decades ago on first-ever tour of Rangers' museum
The iconic footie manager played for the Scottish giants for two years 'LEGEND' Sir Alex Ferguson comes across emotional letter he sent decades ago on first-ever tour of Rangers' museum Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR ALEX FERGUSON spotted an emotional letter he wrote in the '90s in Rangers' brand new museum. The iconic Scottish manager was in Glasgow this week for the opening of the Rangers Museum at New Edmiston House. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Sir Alex Ferguson spent two seasons at Ibrox from 1967 to 1979 Credit: REX 4 Fergie was given the honour of being the first visitor to the newly opened Rangers Museum Credit: RANGERS FC 4 A letter the Scot wrote to former Gers boss Dick Advocaat is framed in the museum Credit: RANGERS FC Fergie, who spent two years at Ibrox from 1967 to 1969, was given the honour of being the venue's first-ever visitor. Some of the most famed items in Rangers' history are on display in the museum, including a letter from Ferguson. The letter was one Govan-born Ferguson penned to Dick Advocaat after the Dutchman guided the Teddy Bears to a treble in the 1998/1999 season. It read: "Dear Dick. Just a wee note to congratulate you and your players on winning the treble. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS GYO TIME Gyokeres decides between Man Utd and Arsenal as he 'rejects Premier League club' "I know how difficult it is to maintain the level of fitness and determination to achieve all three trophies, but your players carried out the task wth great style. "Please pass on my sincere good wishes to all your staff. "Yours sincerely, Sir Alex Ferguson." Ferguson appeared to be emotional as he looked at the letter and the rest of the Gers memorabilia. 4 Dick Advcocaat guided Rangers to a treble in the 1998/99 season Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD The Ibrox faithful were thrilled that Fergie was the first person to enter the doors of the Rangers Museum. One wrote on X: "Brilliant to see Fergie looking so well, and nice to see him at Ibrox." 'What did he expect?' - Sir Alex Ferguson looks 'absolutely disgusted' in new footage from Man Utd Europa League loss Another said: "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger." And another said: "Should have given this man the Rangers Manager Job." One remarked: "Take good care of the boss." Another chimed in: "Legend." Rangers ended the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season in second place, 15 points behind bitter rivals Celtic.
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Daily Record
Celebrated Alasdair Gray artworks go on display for first time at Scottish museum
Artworks by Alasdair Gray are on show for the first time at Kelvingrove, including pieces gifted in memory of his late wife and the original art for Poor Things For the first time ever, artworks by the celebrated artist and writer Scottish Alasdair Gray are being exhibited at Kelvingrove Gallery, the very place he credited with inspiring his lifelong passion for art. The display features nine pieces from the Morag McAlpine Bequest, gifted to Glasgow Life Museums ten years ago in memory of Gray's late wife. Among the highlights is the original artwork for his 1992 novel Poor Things, recently adapted into a major feature film in 2023. These personal works, including portraits that later became characters in his stories and framed drawings for his own and others' book covers, were originally given to Glasgow Museums in 2014 following Morag's passing. This exhibition coincides with what would have been Gray's 90th year. The multi-talented Glaswegian, who died in December 2019 aged 85, was not only a novelist and poet but also a prolific playwright, painter, and printmaker. His creative legacy continues to thrive through books, exhibitions, conferences, and the annual Gray Day held every 25 February. The Morag McAlpine Bequest enriches the existing Alasdair Gray collection at Glasgow Life Museums, which already includes his City Recorder series from the late 1970s, some of which are displayed at the Gallery of Modern Art. The new exhibition, housed in the Fragile Art Gallery, marks a decade since the donation. Alongside Poor Things, visitors can view the wrap-around jacket for Old Negatives, artwork in progress for Agnes Owens' People Like That, and the piece A Working Mother. The display offers a fascinating glimpse into Gray's artistic methods, highlighting how he reused imagery and drew from historical artworks to shape his distinctive style. Katie Bruce, producer curator with Glasgow Life, said: "Alasdair Gray showed great generosity when he gifted The Morag McAlpine Bequest to the city, following the passing of his wife. "These personal gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas, include portraits later transformed into characters in his work and framed drawings for book covers and dust jackets, both for his own publications and those of fellow writers. "It is fitting and wonderful to display this collection in a place that meant so much to Gray, and to offer audiences a deeper understanding of his innovative practice and extraordinary talent." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Visitors to Kelvingrove can also admire Cowcaddens Streetscape in the Fifties, painted in 1964. This evocative work, which Gray described as "my best big oil painting," captures life in a Glasgow neighbourhood deeply changed after the war. It stands as a significant example of his painting during the decade following his graduation from Glasgow School of Art in 1957. This painting captures the changes in landscape and community life in Cowcaddens, one of Glasgow's oldest districts. It is an important reminder of the city's past, reflecting the post- war transformation that shaped modern Glasgow. The combination of this artwork alongside the Morag McAlpine Bequest creates a rich and diverse showcase of Gray's talents, allowing visitors a rare insight into the breadth of his artistic career and the influences behind his work.
