Poetic realism

Jack Vettriano was born in Methil, Scotland, on November 17, 1951. He grew up in poor circumstances and had a difficult childhood. From a young age he showed an interest and talent for art, although he had no formal artistic training.

Vettriano began his career as a self-taught artist, painting in his spare time. His works were first shown in 1989 in an exhibition in Edinburgh and immediately attracted attention. In particular, his well-known 1992 painting "The Singing Butler" became a huge success and gained international recognition.

Since then, Vettriano has created a variety of paintings, often depicting sensual, atmospheric scenes with figures in glamorous clothing and unusual situations. His style is often described as "poetic realism" and shows influences from film noir aesthetics and classical art.

Despite his commercial success, Vettriano has often been criticized by the established art world, and his works have been called too commercial and sentimental. Despite this, he has a large following around the world and his limited editions and art prints are highly sought after.

His paintings have been shown in numerous exhibitions and galleries, including prestigious institutions such as the Royal Scottish Academy and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Jack Vettriano is one of the best known contemporary Scottish artists. His works are known for their unique style, strong narrative elements, and their ability to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.

Vettriano has received numerous awards and his paintings have been featured in books, magazines and film productions. He has also worked as an illustrator and some of his paintings have been used as covers for novels and music albums.

Jack Vettriano continues to live and work in Scotland and his work is featured in private collections and public exhibitions worldwide.