A significant self-portrait by the celebrated Scottish painter Jack Vettriano is being presented to the public in Edinburgh, coinciding with the first anniversary of his passing. The self-taught artist, who was 73 years old, was found deceased in his apartment in Nice, France, on March 1st of last year.
Exhibition Details and Artistic Legacy
Titled Portrait Of The Artist, this notable work will be showcased at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait starting from Sunday, March 1st of this year. This painting represents the first of two self-portraits that have been generously loaned by the artist's estate, with both pieces scheduled for consecutive display over a total period of six years. Portrait Of The Artist will remain on view until early 2029, after which it will be succeeded by the second work, Homage To Fontana?.
Curatorial Perspectives and Public Engagement
Imogen Gibbon, the head of portraiture and photography and chief curator at National Galleries Scotland, shared her excitement about the exhibition. "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome visitors to the Portrait gallery to experience Portrait Of The Artist by Jack Vettriano," she stated. "It feels particularly meaningful that we can present a self-portrait to honour Vettriano's immense contribution to Scottish culture on the anniversary of his death." She further noted that these works will join other contemporary portraits of influential Scottish figures, expressing gratitude to the artist's estate for their invaluable support.
Carolyn Osborne, director of Jack Vettriano Publishing Limited, emphasised the artist's deep connection with the general public. "Jack was widely known as the People's Painter, and it is entirely appropriate that the public will have the opportunity to view one of his paintings in such a beautiful setting, located within a mile of where it was originally created," she remarked.
Vettriano's Artistic Journey and Influences
Vettriano, who hailed from Fife, left formal education at the age of 15 to embark on a career as a mining engineer. His artistic path began after receiving a box of watercolours as a gift for his 21st birthday. He diligently refined his skills by studying the techniques of the Old Masters, the Impressionists, and various Scottish artists, drawing significant inspiration from works he encountered at Kirkcaldy Galleries.
His major breakthrough occurred in 1988 when two of his submissions to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual exhibition sold on the very first day, setting the stage for international acclaim throughout the 1990s.
Analysis of the Featured Paintings
Portrait Of The Artist, painted in 1993, is an early self-portrait created just one year after his famous work, The Singing Butler. The subsequent piece, Homage To Fontana?, completed in 1999, features distinctive slashes in the canvas. This is a direct reference to the Argentine-Italian artist Lucio Fontana (1899–1968), whose innovative works famously blurred the boundaries between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms.
The exhibition not only commemorates Vettriano's life and artistic achievements but also provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to engage with his personal vision and enduring legacy in a dedicated public space.
