Self portrait by Jack Vettriano to be showcased at National Galleries of Scotland

A self-portrait by Scottish Painter Jack Vettriano has gone on display at National Galleries of Scotland to mark one year anniversary of his death.

Article Source: National Galleries of Scotland
Last Updated: 28 February 2026 12:19

Image: Portrait of the Artist, 1993, Jack Vettriano © Estate of The Artist and reproduced courtesy of the estate of the Artist. Credit Paul Watt

Commemorating one year since the passing of celebrated Scottish painter Jack Vettriano, National Galleries of Scotland has announced it is to showcase two works by the artist. Celebrating the life and prolific career of Vettriano, the artist’s estate will loan two self-portraits Portrait of the Artist and Homage to Fontana? over a six-year period. Portrait of the Artist will go on display on the one-year anniversary of his passing on 1 March 2026, at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait. Free to visit, the painting will stay on display until early 2029 when it will then be swapped with Homage to Fontana?.

A self-taught painter, Vettriano was loved at home in Scotland and internationally for his evocative and timeless works that continue to captivate and inspire. His career made a huge contribution to the Scottish arts and culture scene and even broke records in the UK and Scotland. In 2004 his painting The Singing Butler achieved a record price for a Scottish painting sold at auction and went on to become the best-selling art print in the UK. The work even inspired Banksy, whose reimagining of the painting sold in March 2025 for £4.3million. Vettriano is internationally recognised, with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Tim Rice among collectors of his work.

Portrait of the Artist, painted in 1993, is an early self-portrait by Vettriano and was painted a year after The Singing Butler. It depicts the artist taking a break from painting at his Edinburgh flat where he had a studio. A dramatic depiction of light and shade sets the scene for a moment of contemplation. The artist’s paint-splattered clothes emphasise the task at hand.

The cinematic Homage to Fontana? was painted later in 1999. The title and slashes in the painted canvas reference the Argentine-Italian artist Lucio Fontana (1899–1968) whose slashed canvases of the 1950s and 60s blurred the distinction between two and three dimensions to create ‘an infinite dimension’. Vettriano invites us to follow his act of contemplation in relation to what lies beneath the surface and beyond. The painting returned to Edinburgh in July 2025 after its inclusion in a Vettriano exhibition at the Palazzo Pallavicini in Bologna and is the largest of three versions of this composition.

Born Jack Hoggan, Vettriano grew up in the coastal mining village of Methil in Fife. After leaving school at 15, he followed his father down the mine, working as an apprentice engineer. He later moved on to white-collar jobs in management services, taking up painting as a hobby in the 1970s when a girlfriend bought him a set of watercolours for his birthday. From then on, Vettriano spent much of his spare time teaching himself to paint. He learned by copying Old Masters, Impressionists, Surrealists and a plethora of Scottish artists, taking inspiration from studying the collection at Kirkcaldy Galleries. It was his experience living near Leven Beach which prompted him to make the decision: ‘I’m going to set some paintings on beaches.’

A figurative painter, Vettriano described his work as ‘more or less autobiographical.’ He worked from photographs of scenes he staged with models in his studio. His paintings evoke the nostalgia of the 1940s and 50s and were often set, in the artist’s own words, in ‘sombre and sordid interiors’. Vettriano’s dramatic use of light and shade is a distinctive element of his work and heightens the stories of love, sex and betrayal in his paintings.

In the late 1980s he moved to Edinburgh and took his mother’s last name, Vettriano. The artist’s breakthrough came in 1988 when he submitted two works to the Royal Scottish Academy’s Annual Exhibition, with both works selling within the first day. Subsequently he was courted by several galleries, with his first solo exhibition in Edinburgh in 1992. Soon, his works began to gather international acclaim, leading to exhibitions in London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York. The first major retrospective of his work was at Kelvingrove Art Gallery in 2013 and featured Homage to Fontanna?. The exhibition was record-breaking, attracting more than 136,000 visitors over its five-month run.

Imogen Gibbon, Head of Portraiture & Photography & Chief Curator at the National Galleries Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming visitors to the Portrait gallery to come and see Portrait of the Artist – by Jack Vettriano. It feels particularly significant that we are able to showcase a self-portrait to celebrate Vettriano’s contribution to Scottish culture on the anniversary of his death. This portrait and the subsequent work Homage to Fontana? will take their place on loan in The Modern Portrait display amongst the many other contemporary portraits of Scots who have made an impact at home in Scotland and internationally. National Galleries of Scotland extend our thanks to the artists estate, who came to us with this idea and supported us to make it happen.”

Carolyn Osborne, Director, Jack Vettriano Publishing Limited, said: “Jack was known as The People’s Painter and it’s entirely fitting that the public will be able to see one of his paintings in such a beautiful setting within a mile of where it was painted.”

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Keller Taproom to host new women led whisky tasting to support industry inclusivity

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers has teamed up with the Capital's Kellar Taproom to support women in whisky, with all proceeds going to Smart Works and OurWhisky Foundation this month.

Iconic castle view bar reopens after half a million pound glow up

One of Edinburgh's most iconic rooftop bars has reponed to the public following a major £500,000 makeover.

FREE Event: Discover super powered plants at Dobbies Little Seedlings Club

Dobbies' free-to-attend children's gardening workshop is here for the month of May, giving children the chance to discover the 'Power of Plants'.

Freddie Fox and Julian Ovenden will star alongside Helen George when High Society comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse

An exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen are set to join the cast of High Society led by Helen George as Tracy Lord when it comes to Edinburgh Playhouse in September!

Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!

OMNi nears completion of multi million pound transformation and will celebrate with big reveal event on Saturday 2nd May

Edinburgh's great-value leisure and entertainment destination, OMNi, is adding the finishing touches to its fresh new look as the £5 million pound refurbishment enters its final stages.

Harviestoun Brewery pop up returns with beer, bites & mischief on tap

Award-winning Scottish brewer Harviestoun, at the foot of the Ochils, is throwing open its brewery doors for a lively pop-up taproom event on Friday 24th April.

Edinburgh craft brewer announces bumper line up for outdoor summer market in Stockbridge

Cold Town Beer is raising the bar with a bumper line-up for this year’s ‘Neighbourgood’ outdoor summer food and drink market, returning to Stockbridge from 1st May to 2nd August 2026.

Britney, Oasis, Queen and More: The Icons Are Coming to Edinburgh This Summer

ICONIC Festival, Scotland’s first-ever full tribute festival weekend, is set to take over Conifox this June.

Edinburgh hotel announces third chapter of Captains Table guest chef dining series

One of Scotland's top chefs will be hosting the third in a series of collaborative 'Captain's Table' dining experiences onboard luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Sunday 19th April.

Livingston Designer Outlet announces opening of Hamilton & Brown

Livingston Designer Outlet, Scotland’s largest outlet destination, has welcomed the arrival of gourmet boutique food destination Hamilton & Brown, opening over the Easter weekend.

Zizza launches midweek deal

Zizzi is making midweek dining even more of a treat with a brand-new sharing deal of Two for £25, available for groups of two, four or six.

Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland

With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Fan favourites return to Vue venues in Scotland this spring

Vue is bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen this spring as part of a special anniversary season celebrating some of Hollywood’s most iconic titles.

Twilight weddings on the rise as couples rethink traditions

Wedding specialists at Deer Park Golf & Country Club in Livingston say the shift reflects changing priorities among couples planning their big day.

The Palmerston to host a Pizza pop up

On Monday 13th April, The Palmerston will host chef Ivan Stein, former co-owner of The Gannet, and Global Pizza Consultant Anthony Falco for a one-off pizza pop-up.

A Lost Eardley Returns

As National Galleries of Scotland opens a major exhibition on the artist, The Scottish Gallery shares its story of a recent rediscovery.

Edinburgh brewery pours out support for the biggest ice hockey showdown in the capital

One of Edinburgh’s leading breweries has been announced as the official sponsor for the UK’s biggest ever ice hockey showdown!

Aldi calls on shoppers across Scotland to donate pet food in stores this National Pet Month

Aldi is encouraging shoppers in Scotland to donate pet food at its in-store community donation points this April to mark National Pet Month.

Paws at the ready as new dog park opens in Edinburgh

A new dog adventure park with panoramic views towards Arthur's Seat is preparing to open in East Edinburgh, marking its tenth location for one of Scotland’s fastest-growing canine leisure brands.

Now Open: Race Across the World The Experience Edinburgh!

Race Across the World: The Experience, the live city-based adventure created by CityDays, is now open in Edinburgh!

A one of a kind penguin playpark waddles into Edinburgh Zoo

A bespoke penguin-themed playpark designed exclusively for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has opened at Edinburgh Zoo!

Full live music line up and free family attractions unveiled for the inaugural Leith Food Festival

Organisers of the brand-new Leith Food Festival have revealed the full live music programme for their debut event, set to take place on May 30th and 31st at Leith Links, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Winner of Scottish Young Musician announced

Joshua Gibson chosen to represent Edinburgh at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year 2026.

Rooftop bar W Deck reopens for Spring with new seasonal menus and live music

The five-star hotel opens its iconic W Deck, unveiling a new seasonal menu and spring programming.

Taste the movie in 4DX with new Super Mario themed popcorn upgrade at Cineworld

Cineworld is inviting audiences to power up their cinema visit like never before, with the launch of a limited-edition Galactic popcorn topper created to complement the full sensory immersion of 4DX.

A rare unicorn arrives at Edinburgh Zoo

A magical new species has arrived at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo ahead of Easter weekend, a rare greater one-horned unicorn called Jai!

Edinburgh Tradfest Commission celebrates the work of 16th century Scots Poet and Scottish Sappho Marie Maitland

This year's Edinburgh Tradfest commission A' Chiad Litir (The First Letter), is a tribute to the life of Scots 16th-century poet Marie Maitland, popularised in recent years as the Scottish Sappho.

Funding boost for Edinburgh breast cancer charity, House of Hope

Two Edinburgh locals have turned milestone birthday celebrations into a powerful fundraising effort, raising £9,000 for the city's breast cancer charity, House of Hope.