Scottish artist, Jack Vettriano, dies in France aged 73
The artist was best known for his piece, 'The Singing Butler'
Last updated 3rd Mar 2025
Scottish artist Jack Vettriano has been found dead at his home in France, his publicist has confirmed.
The 73-year-old painter, born Jack Hogan in Methil, Fife, was discovered in his flat in Nice on Saturday.
Authorities have stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Self-taught success
Vettriano, a self-taught artist, left school at 15 to work as a mining engineer before discovering his passion for painting.
His artistic journey began when a girlfriend gifted him a box of watercolours for his 21st birthday.
He honed his skills by studying works at Kirkcaldy Galleries, closely examining paintings by artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart.
His breakthrough came in 1988 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual exhibition.
Both pieces sold on the first day, prompting him to pursue art full-time.
Over the years, his work gained international recognition, leading to exhibitions in major cities including Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, and New York.
Among Vettriano’s most celebrated works is The Singing Butler (1992), which depicts a couple dancing on a windswept beach, accompanied by their butler and maid.
The painting became one of Britain’s best-selling images, cementing his status as a widely recognised artist.
His work attracted a distinguished clientele, with collectors including Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice, and the late Robbie Coltrane.
Billy Connelly mural
Vettriano also left a lasting mark on public art, notably with his Billy Connolly mural on the side of Glasgow’s Hootenanny pub.
Unveiled in 2017 to mark Connolly’s 75th birthday, the large-scale artwork is a reproduction of Vettriano’s 1994 painting 'Dr Connolly I Presume', from the comedian’s World Tour of Scotland series.
Featuring a windblown Connolly on a storm-lashed coast near John O’Groats, the mural was installed by graffiti artist Rogue One and has since become a beloved city landmark.
'Evocative and timeless'
In a statement, Vettriano’s publicist paid tribute to the artist, saying: “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.”
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney was among those to pay tribute to Vettriano.
He said: "I am very sorry to hear that one of Scotland's best-known artists, Jack Vettriano, has died, and I want to express my deepest condolences to his family.
"From humble beginnings as a self-taught artist from Methil, Jack made a unique and evocative contribution to artistic life in Scotland, rising to become a household name thanks to iconic paintings like The Singing Butler, which has graced the walls of homes and galleries around the world.
"Born and raised in Fife, much of his early exposure to art came from the Kirkcaldy Galleries, so it was fitting that some of his earliest works were exhibited there in recent years.
"Jack was also a philanthropist for a number of important causes and I know his loss will be sorely felt by many across Scotland and the world."
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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