This self-portrait shows one of Britain?s favourite artists. Born Jack Hoggan in 1951 and brought up in Methil, Fife, Vettriano is self-taught. He first came to attention exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1988, after which his career took off. This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Fredi Marcarini at the artist?s home in London. Vettriano has depicted himself sitting on the edge of his bed. Dressed smartly, he looks contemplative and deep in thought which encourages the viewer to question what is going on beyond the edges of the canvas.
Jack Vettriano (Scottish, born 1951)
Born in Methil, Fife, Vettriano left school aged sixteen. He began his career as an apprentice mining engineer before taking up painting as a hobby in the 1970s. Self-taught, his early paintings were influenced by the works which hung in the neighbouring Fife town of Kirkcaldy?s Museum and Art Gallery. His painting career was launched in 1988 when the artist submitted two paintings to the annual show at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. Both paintings sold on the opening day and a great deal of interest from commercial galleries quickly followed. Since then Vettriano has established a prolific career painting figurative canvases which focus on romantic, nude and often sexual themes. Vettriano was awarded an OBE in 2004.
