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Jack Vettriano‘Looking Down From Above’ Edinburgh Castle contemporary exhibited painting 1989
$49,900
£38,173.96
€43,904.46
CA$71,263.56
A$78,551.90
CHF 40,588.30
MX$939,032.47
NOK 510,598.15
SEK 479,889.55
DKK 327,927.67
About the Item
Jack Vettriano (1951-2025) perfected his signature film noire 30’s glam style, that made him the most successful Scottish artist in his lifetime. Best known for ‘The Singing Butler’ that sold for $1.3 million dollars. His work has been collected by celebrities, starting in a sell-out exhibit in Hong King in 1992. Vettriano Studios sold more prints of his work than Monet or Van Gogh.
So what is so special about Jack Vettriano? Identifying with his bad boy image, Vettriano painted seduction and narrative in his created style, suggesting relationships, meaningful moments within a veneer of wealth and glamor. Beautiful women and men in suits, fedoras and suspenders create suspense and emotive power.
Accused of lacking detail and academic training, Vettriano counters with powerful images that bring the viewer into the room. His emotion is sometimes raw and explicit, sometimes seductive and subtle, leaving viewers to imagine narratives; who is in control, what is the relationship, what happened before this, and what is about to happen?
It is this ability to draw viewers into his work and create narratives that truly sets him apart from many artists.
Vettriano often painted self portraits, placing himself into the narrative. He painted in classic colors, black suits, white shirts, red suspenders. Then golden browns, and in his summer beach settings blue sky and yellowy dresses.
In this painting we see Jack Vettriano’s self portrait, a younger version from 1989 with dark tousled hair. Colors are in the red, white, black and brown classic range, with blue skies.
A simple touch on the shoulder, while looking out the window could be the beginning of a relationship, an affair, a reassurance, a consoling. A touch can convey so much.
Titled ‘Looking Down from Above’ the couple are looking out an upper window of Vetri Eno‘s Edinburgh studio. In the background, there is the Edinburgh Castle, Mount. Looking down in 1989 from this from this vantage point on the Castle was a rough side of town known for topless bars, drugs, and homelessness. This view of the castle above and the rough streets below provides a clue about the couple and the narrative.
‘Looking Down from Above’ was exhibited in Perthshire, Atthol Gallery, and was sold. It then remained in a private Scottish collection until 2022 when it was sold again. The Gallerie exported the painting and placed it on sale late 2025.
In communication with the Vettriano Studio the artist confirmed the date as late 80s (1988/89). When asked he declined to offer his own narrative, saying each viewer can interpret it as they see it.
Jack Vettriano passed away in France, in March of this year.
- Creator:Jack Vettriano (1951, Scottish)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:In overall excellent condition.
- Gallery Location:Hillsborough, NC
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2069217079462
Jack Vettriano
Jack Vettriano, born Jack Hoggan on November 17, 1951, in Fife, Scotland, is a renowned contemporary Scottish painter. He grew up in a working-class family and left school at 16 to become an apprentice mining engineer. His journey into art began at the age of 21 when his girlfriend gifted him a set of watercolor paints. Vettriano taught himself to paint by studying books and replicating their techniques. Initially signing his works as "Jack Hoggan," he adopted his mother’s maiden name, Vettriano, in the late 1980s. His career took a significant turn in 1989 when he submitted two pieces to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual exhibition, both of which sold on the first day. This success led to more exhibitions and the subsequent rise in his popularity. Vettriano’s style is often characterized by its narrative and cinematic quality, frequently depicting scenes of romance, mystery, and noir glamour. His most famous work, "The Singing Butler" (1992), captures a couple dancing on a stormy beach, and it became one of the best-selling art prints in the UK. Despite commercial success, Vettriano has faced criticism from some art critics who regard his work as populist.
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