Jack Vettriano | Lovers and Others Strangers

Jack Vettriano, OBE (1951-2025) was a Scottish painter.

Critics hate him.

Celebrities collect him.

The public buy his posters in their millions: Jack Vettriano reveals the dark side that has made him our most controversial artist.

Philanthropy

In 2004, Vettriano set up a scholarship for University of St Andrews to fund a student who would not otherwise be able to attend university.

The scholarship is awarded every four years.

The endowment follows his financial contribution towards refurbishing the Students Association's Old Union Coffee Bar in 2002 and his involvement in student fashion shows. He was made a Doctor of Letters by the university.

Vettriano donated several works of art to be sold in aid of charities, including the Terrence Higgins Trust.

In September 2001, Vettriano donated a painting, Beautiful Dreamer, to a charity auction, which was held at Sotheby's in aid of Help the Hospices.

In 2008, a drawing he made of that subject sold at a charity auction in aid of the Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Gallery in Llanbedrog, North Wales in July, helping to keep the gallery open.

Vettriano donated a portrait of Zara Phillips, entitled Olympia, to Sport Relief in 2008.

The painting went to a charity fund-raising auction, selling at Bonhams for £36,000.

In 2010, Vettriano created a postcard – alongside names such as Tracey Emin and Florence Welch – as part of a British Airways campaign for Sport Relief.

Also in 2010, Vettriano helped to raise money for the conservation movement Elephant Family by participating in an auction of donated elephant sculptures and models.

Vettriano's elephant, The Singing Butler Rides Again, was the highest bid-for lot, selling for £155,000.

Vettriano was also asked by First Minister Alex Salmond to create his official Christmas card Let's Twist Again.

The original painting and limited-edition prints later sold at auction for the benefit of four Scottish charities, raising £86,000.