Vettriano, who sadly passed away on Saturday, was one of three Scottish artists to paint a mural of Billy Connolly to mark his 75th birthday back in 2017
Jack Vettriano said painting a mural of Billy Connolly in Glasgow was the “highlight of [his] career” in comments that have resurfaced following the news of his sad passing.
The Scottish painter – who was found dead at his apartment in Nice, in the south of France, on Saturday – was one of three leading Scottish artists who painted 50ft-high murals of Connolly to mark the comedian’s 75th birthday in 2017.
The 73-year-old, who hailed from Methil, Fife, immortalised the towering figure of Scottish comedy in a larger-than-life mural on Dixon Street in Glasgow. Vettriano’s giant painting was based on a scene from the Big Yin’s World Tour of Scotland series back in 1994.
The comedian can be seen braving the elements on the coast near John O’Groats. The work was described by Connolly himself as “superb” and “extraordinary”.
When the pair met, Vettriano took the opportunity to rib the much-loved Scots stand-up about past jokes he’d made regarding the towns of Methil – Vettriano’s own birthplace – and Kirkcaldy, where the painter later moved.
However, Vettriano also expressed his longstanding admiration for Connolly, dating back to his first appearance on Michael Parkinson’s show in 1975.
Reflecting on that career-changing moment after his stint on television, Connolly recalled: “I finished that show, flew back to Glasgow and I was coming through the airport and the whole airport started to applaud. I thought, ‘I think I’ve done something here’ “It just went whoosh! I never looked back from that moment.”
Speaking about Vettriano’s mural, which was named ‘Dr Connolly, I Presume?’, the Big Yin hailed the impressive piece’s accuracy and emotional resonance, describing it as “superb”.
He told Vettriano: “You’ve got it, because I remember the day so well. I remember the cold and the wind. It’s an extraordinary piece of work.”
On Vettriano’s part, he considered painting Connolly as one of the pinnacles of his artistic journey. Speaking about the opportunity at the time, he said: “I think I can say fairly safely that is the highlight of my career to date. From now until the day I die, I will say, ‘Did I tell you about the day I met Billy Connolly?'”.
The self-taught artist joined Rachel Maclean and John Byrne in painting three grand artworks for Connolly’s 75th birthday back in 2017. The impressive pieces still stand today at Osborne Street, Dixon Street and the Gallowgate.
The process of creation, from the initial sitting to the final portraits, was documented by the BBC. Connolly was deeply moved when he saw them, confessing: “I’m truly amazed at the effect these have had on me, they’ve just completely stunned me.”
Vettriano was renowned for The Singing Butler, one of Britain’s best-loved images which became the most expensive painting by a Scottish artist when it was sold at auction for £750,000 in 2004.
The beloved artist was found dead over the weekend in Nice, marking the “end of an era” for Scotland’s art scene. It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances around his death.
His publicist said in a statement: “Jack Vettriano’s passing marks the end of an era for contemporary Scottish art. His evocative and timeless works will continue to captivate and inspire future generations.”
Vettriano was famous for his naturalistic and whimsical oil paintings focussing on people in 1920s and 1950s attire. Among those to have acquired paintings from Vettriano are Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Robbie Coltrane.