Jack Vettriano, Creator of *The Singing Butler*, Passes Away at 73
# Jack Vettriano, Creator of *The Singing Butler*, Passes Away at 73
Jack Vettriano, the renowned self-taught Scottish painter celebrated for *The Singing Butler*, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 73. He left this world on March 1, 2025, in Nice, France, where he had resided since 2010. Despite facing controversy and rejection from the art community, Vettriano established himself as one of Europe’s most popular contemporary artists, cherished by many for his evocative and nostalgic pieces.
## **Jack Vettriano’s Journey and Success**
Born in 1951 in Fife, Scotland, Jack Vettriano—whose birth name was Jack Hoggan—departed from school at merely 15 to pursue a career as a mining engineer. His artistic endeavor commenced when a girlfriend gifted him a watercolor set in his early 20s. Influenced by the works of Scottish artists Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart, Vettriano self-educated in painting through years of replicating renowned artworks before cultivating his unique style.
In 1989, after being turned down by the Edinburgh College of Art, he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual exhibition. To his astonishment, both sold on the first day, which encouraged him to dedicate himself to art full-time.
## **The Artwork That Brought Him Fame**
Vettriano solidified his reputation in 1992 with *The Singing Butler*, recognized as one of the most iconic and frequently reproduced artworks in the UK. The piece depicts a stylish couple dressed in 1930s fashion, waltzing on a breezy beach while a maid and a butler shield them with umbrellas. The painting became an enormous commercial success, with prints emerging as the best-selling art images across Britain.
In 2004, the original *The Singing Butler* was sold for £744,800 (around $960,000 at that time), establishing a record price for a painting by a Scottish artist. Ironically, despite its success, critics dismissed it, labeling it overly sentimental or superficial.
## **A Controversial Persona in the Art Scene**
Vettriano’s artwork frequently showcased stylized, cinematic scenarios infused with romance, intrigue, and hints of eroticism. His subjects typically featured women in suggestive outfits and men in expertly tailored suits, evoking a sense of mystery and vintage allure in his illustrations. While collectors and the broader public adored his creations, many art critics denounced them as superficial or lacking substance.
Art critic Eddy Frankel characterized Vettriano’s work as unabashedly sensual, despite falling short of formal contemporary art “intellectual” criteria. Addressing the gap between critics and the public, Frankel remarked, *“Contemporary art asks for more. It seeks depth and subtlety. Being nostalgic or sexy isn’t sufficient. But Vettriano’s response to that is: ‘Yeah, but it’s so sexy.’”*
Though largely disregarded by institutions, Vettriano’s artworks attracted a notable following, including high-profile admirers like actor Jack Nicholson and composer Tim Rice.
## **His Legacy and Influence**
The announcement of Vettriano’s death was made through his website and official social media accounts, paired with a self-portrait from 2009. His representatives described him as *“not just an extraordinary artist but also a profoundly private and humble man, eternally thankful for the support and admiration of those who cherished his work.”*
Interestingly, his death coincided with the auction of *Crude Oil (Vettriano)*, a 2005 piece by Banksy that parodied *The Singing Butler*. The artwork replaced the butler and maid with figures clad in hazmat suits and a barrel of toxic waste. Once owned by musician Mark Hoppus, it fetched £4.3 million ($5.4 million) shortly after Vettriano’s death.
As fans and collectors express their sorrow over his passing, Vettriano’s legacy persists through his art. His paintings, rich in romance and vintage appeal, will continue to enchant audiences and ignite discussion on artistic value—be it contemporary versus commercial, high versus low art, or nostalgic versus modern. Ultimately, as Vettriano might have remarked: *“Yeah, but it’s so sexy.”*
—
### **Related Articles**
– [RIP Roberta Flack: Legendary Genre-Bending Singer Dies at 88](https://mymodernmet.com/rip-roberta-flack/)
– [RIP David Lynch: Visionary Filmmaker Dies at 78](https://mymodernmet.com/rip-david-lynch/)
– [RIP Fernando Botero: Celebrated Latin American Art Legend Passes Away](https://mymodernmet.com/rip-fernando-botero/)
– [Infrared Technology Reveals Secret Portrait Hidden Beneath Picasso Painting