'A household name': John Swinney pays tribute to Jack Vettriano

THE First Minister has paid tribute to Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, who has died at the age of 73.

Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan on November 17, 1951, in Methil, Fife, was found in his apartment in Nice on Saturday, his publicist said on Monday.

It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances around the 73-year-old’s death.

Jack Vettriano In a statement, John Swinney hailed Vettriano as a "household name" in Scotland, adding that his death "will be sorely felt by many across Scotland and the world".

The First Minister 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.

First Minister John Swinney (Image: Twitter/X) “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.”

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. https://t.co/q2STNFa2K4

— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) March 3, 2025

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 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.