Famous Fans: Jack Vettriano's Celebrity Collectors and Collaborations

Jack Vettriano's collectors included Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice and Robbie Coltrane. Beyond private buyers, he worked with some well-known names: he painted Billy Connolly for his 75th birthday, created a triptych with Sir Jackie Stewart and produced a series of paintings commissioned by Terence Conran.

These stories say a lot about his appeal. He was never a darling of the critics, but people from sport, film, music and business recognised something in his work and wanted to live with it.

The famous collectors

Vettriano's paintings found their way into some well-known homes. The names most often mentioned are:

• Jack Nicholson, the Hollywood actor

• Sir Alex Ferguson, the football manager

• Sir Tim Rice, the lyricist

• Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor

It is easy to see why his work appealed to people from the worlds of film and entertainment. His paintings borrow from the language of cinema: dramatic lighting, sharp tailoring, figures caught mid-scene and a feeling that something is about to happen. For many collectors, famous or not, that sense of story is the point.

If you would like to know more about the man behind the paintings, our Jack Vettriano biography covers his journey from Fife to international success.

Billy Connolly at 75

One of Vettriano's best-known portraits was of a fellow Scot. In 2017 he painted Billy Connolly's portrait to mark the comedian's 75th birthday.

The image went on to have a public life of its own. It became a mural in Glasgow, where it could be enjoyed by passers-by rather than only by visitors to a gallery. A BBC Scotland documentary about the portrait aired on 14 June 2017.

For collectors who love this connection, we stock Dr Connolly I Presume, a giclée edition of 100 with an image size of 20 x 25 cm. At the time of writing it is priced at £3,500.

Motorsport: Sir Jackie Stewart and Monaco

Vettriano also worked with Sir Jackie Stewart, the Scottish racing driver. Together they created a triptych titled "Tension, Timing, Triumph – Monaco 1971". It was unveiled by Prince Albert of Monaco on 21 May 2008.

Monaco featured in his work more than once. His Tuiga series was painted for the centenary of the yacht Tuiga, and was shown at Kirkcaldy in March 2010. Today you can collect The Tuiga Collection, a set of four prints published in 2009 in an edition of 75 plus 7 Artist's Proofs.

Terence Conran and the Bluebird paintings

In 1996 the designer and restaurateur Terence Conran commissioned seven paintings for the Bluebird Gastrodome in London. The Bluebird paintings hung there for ten years.

They were sold at Sotheby's at Gleneagles on 30 August 2007, raising over £1 million in total. Bluebird at Bonneville alone made £468,000. You can read the full story in our post on Bluebird at Bonneville, and the Bluebird at Bonneville print is available in an edition of 75 plus 7 Artist's Proofs.

Royalty, politics and charity

Vettriano's work crossed paths with public life in several other ways.

Zara Phillips and Sport Relief

In 2008 he donated a portrait of Zara Phillips, titled "Olympia", to Sport Relief. It sold for £36,000 at Bonhams.

A First Minister's Christmas card

He painted Alex Salmond's 2010 Christmas card, a picture titled "Let's Twist Again". The connection with Salmond went further: as First Minister, Salmond opened Vettriano's "Days of Wine and Roses" exhibition at Kirkcaldy Museum in March 2010.

Fashion: Stefano Ricci

In 2012 Vettriano collaborated with the Italian menswear brand Stefano Ricci on a campaign. It was a natural fit. His paintings are full of well-cut suits, crisp shirts and elegant evening wear, and the men in them are often as carefully dressed as the women.

Why famous names were drawn to him

Vettriano's critics were vocal, and some of the art establishment dismissed his work. Yet the public bought his prints in vast numbers, and The Singing Butler became the UK's best-selling art print.

His celebrity fans reflect that same broad appeal. His paintings are approachable, glamorous and full of mood. You do not need an art history degree to respond to them, and many people, famous or otherwise, simply enjoyed having them on their walls.

There is also a personal side. Many of these collaborations involved fellow Scots, from Billy Connolly and Jackie Stewart to Alex Salmond and Robbie Coltrane. For a self-taught painter from Methil in Fife, that recognition from home is a notable part of the story.

Frequently asked questions

Which celebrities collected Jack Vettriano?

His collectors included Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tim Rice and Robbie Coltrane. He also worked with Billy Connolly, Sir Jackie Stewart and Terence Conran on commissions and collaborations.

Did Jack Vettriano paint Billy Connolly?

Yes. He painted Billy Connolly's portrait for the comedian's 75th birthday in 2017. The image became a Glasgow mural, and a BBC Scotland documentary about it aired on 14 June 2017.

What were the Bluebird paintings?

They were seven paintings commissioned by Terence Conran in 1996 for the Bluebird Gastrodome in London. They sold at Sotheby's at Gleneagles in 2007, raising over £1 million.

Can I buy prints connected to these collaborations?

Yes. We stock prints including Dr Connolly I Presume, Bluebird at Bonneville and The Tuiga Collection. Availability can change, so please get in touch if you have a specific print in mind.

Find your own Vettriano

You do not need to be famous to collect Jack Vettriano. Every print we sell comes with a certificate of authenticity and fully insured UK delivery. Browse our limited editions, or contact us if you would like help choosing a print with a story behind it.