The Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has been found dead at his apartment in Nice in the south of France, his publicist said.
Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan on 17 November 1951 in Methil, Fife, was found on Saturday, the publicist said.
It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances around the 73-year-old’s 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 works and shows an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by their butler and maid, becoming a bestselling image in Britain.
Among those to have acquired Vettriano paintings are Jack Nicholson, Alex Ferguson, 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.”
More details soon …
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