Jack Vettriano facts for kids

Jack Vettriano OBE (born Jack Hoggan, 17 November 1951 – 1 March 2025) was a famous Scottish painter. His painting The Singing Butler from 1992 became one of the most popular images in Britain.

Early Life of Jack Vettriano

Jack Hoggan was born and grew up in Methil, a town in Fife, Scotland. He lived with his family in a simple miner's house. From age 10, he worked hard doing jobs like delivering papers and milk. He also cleaned windows and picked potatoes to earn money.

Jack started painting as a hobby in the 1970s. For his 21st birthday, a girlfriend gave him a set of watercolour paints. His first painting was a copy of Poppy Fields by Claude Monet. He learned a lot by studying paintings at the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery. In 1984, he first showed his art at an exhibition there.

In 1987, when he was 36, Jack decided to focus on art. He left his job and moved to Edinburgh. There, he started using his mother's maiden name, Vettriano. He tried to study Fine Art at the University of Edinburgh, but his art portfolio was not accepted.

Jack Vettriano's Art Career

The Singing Butler (1992), his most famous painting

In 1988, Vettriano sent two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy annual show. Both paintings sold on the very first day. This led to many art galleries wanting to work with him. He had more exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, and Johannesburg. In 1999, his art was shown in New York City for the first time. Many collectors flew from the UK to see his work. Twenty paintings were sold on the opening night.

In 1996, Sir Terence Conran asked Vettriano to create paintings for his new Bluebird Gastrodome in London. These seven paintings were inspired by the life of Sir Malcolm Campbell. They hung there for 10 years. Vettriano's own company, Heartbreak Publishing, made special prints of these paintings. Later, these "Bluebird" paintings were sold at an auction for over £1 million. The most expensive one, Bluebird at Bonneville, sold for £468,000.

Painting Prices and Value

New paintings by Vettriano often cost between £48,000 and £195,000. His most famous painting, The Singing Butler, has been the best-selling art print in Britain. In 2004, the original The Singing Butler painting sold at auction for £744,500. It had actually been rejected by the Royal Academy summer exhibition in 1992.

Studios and Publishing

Jack Vettriano had art studios in Scotland and London. From 1993 to 2007, the Portland Gallery in London represented him. Famous people like Jack Nicholson and Sir Alex Ferguson collected his paintings. Several books have been written about Vettriano's art.

In 2009, Vettriano started his own publishing company, Heartbreak Publishing. He also opened his own London art gallery, also called Heartbreak. This gallery showed only his work and helped new, younger artists. In 2010, an exhibition called Days of Wine And Roses opened in Kirkcaldy Museum.

Awards and Honours

Jack Vettriano received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) award. He got this award for his great work in visual arts. The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace in November 2003.

In 2010, Sir Jackie Stewart gave Vettriano the Great Scot of the Year award. This award recognized his important contribution to Scottish culture.

In 2011, Vettriano's self-portrait, The Weight, was shown at the re-opened Scottish National Portrait Gallery. This was the first time his work was displayed in a national gallery. The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, called him "a wonderful artist of considerable talent."

In 2013, a big exhibition called Jack Vettriano: A Retrospective opened at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It showed over 100 of his paintings.

Special Art Commissions

In 2012, a menswear brand called Stefano Ricci created a fashion collection inspired by Vettriano's art. Their catalogue featured his images and photos that looked like his paintings.

In 2017, Vettriano was one of three artists asked to paint portraits of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly. These portraits celebrated Connolly's 75th birthday. Vettriano's portrait was turned into a large mural in the center of Glasgow. It is located on Dixon Street.

Artistic Style

Vettriano was a self-taught artist. He was very good at drawing and using perspective in his paintings. He used thin layers of paint and shadows to create deep meaning. People have compared his style to artists like Edward Hopper. Many of his paintings seem to tell a secret story. They often make you wonder what is happening.

Collaborations with Others

Jack Vettriano worked with other artists and musicians. He appeared in a music video for the Scottish band Saint Jude's Infirmary. The video included scenes that looked like two of his famous paintings. Vettriano even created the cover art for the band's second album.

In 2008, Vettriano worked with Sir Jackie Stewart on three paintings. These paintings were about a famous car race in Monaco in 1971. The original paintings are now in Stewart's private collection.

Vettriano also created paintings to celebrate the 100th birthday of Tuiga. Tuiga is a famous yacht from the Yacht Club de Monaco. These paintings were shown in exhibitions in Monaco and Kirkcaldy.

Giving Back: Philanthropy

Jack Vettriano was very generous. In 2004, he started a scholarship at the University of St Andrews. This scholarship helps students who might not otherwise be able to go to university. He also helped pay for renovations at the university's coffee bar. The university later gave him an honorary degree.

Vettriano donated many of his artworks to be sold for charity. He supported groups like the Terrence Higgins Trust and Help the Hospices. In 2008, he donated a portrait of Zara Phillips, called Olympia, to Sport Relief. It sold for £36,000 at auction.

In 2010, Vettriano helped raise money for Elephant Family, a group that protects elephants. His elephant sculpture, The Singing Butler Rides Again, sold for £155,000. He also created the official Christmas card for Scotland's First Minister. The original painting and prints were sold for £86,000 for Scottish charities.

Personal Life

Jack Vettriano lived in London, Kirkcaldy, and Nice, France. In Kirkcaldy, he lived in a building that used to be a factory. He was appointed an OBE in November 2004.

Death

Jack Vettriano passed away on March 1, 2025. His death was announced two days later.

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See also

In Spanish: Jack Vettriano para niños