Jack Vettriano has died (Image: Getty)
Scottish artist Jack Vettriano has been found dead in his flat in France. The body of the 73-year-old painter, born Jack Hogan, in Methil, Fife, was found in the flat in Nice on Saturday, his publicist said.
It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. 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 The Singing Butler is among his most famed work 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.”