Dave M. Benett via Getty ImagesAn exhibition in Fife for Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, best known for his painting The Singing Butler, has been announced following his death last month.
Vettriano was a self-taught artist whose most famous work became the UK’s best-selling art print and set a Scottish record when it was auctioned in 2004.
The artist was found dead at his apartment in Nice, in the south of France, on Saturday, March 1.
An exhibition of some of the works of the artist’s works was due to be held in his Methil hometown the day after his death was announced.
However, the Affordable Arts Gallery show was put on hold by a month out of respect for the 73-year-old, and will now open from March 4, running through to October 28.
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 1992 painting The Singing Butler is among his most famed works. It shows an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by their butler and maid, becoming a best-selling image in Britain.
It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the 73-year-old painter.
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.”
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