What’s in a name? It’s the artist formerly known as... Jack VETTRANO!
IT is usually possible to identify an artist’s work by examining the painting’s style then checking the signature in the corner.
But this unique composition, despite being by one of Scotland’s most famous artists, is giving away no such clues. For not only it is a still life – a style never previously attempted by the painter and never since repeated – the artist, when signing the piece, also managed to misspell his name.
The oil painting, which shows a table set with wine bottle, glass, plates and fruit, is signed ‘VETTRANO’.
Now the Scots painter more correctly known as Jack Vettriano has donated the work to a UN Refugee Agency UK for UNHCR auction to raise money for people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.
Mr Vettriano completed the painting, titled Still Life, in Edinburgh between 1988 and 1990 – the time he began signing his work using his mother’s maiden name instead of his family name Hoggan.
He misspelled Vettriano on the oil painting, showing his unfamiliarity with using the new moniker.
The painting is to be sold at Bonhams Scottish Art Sale in Edinburgh on October 19 and is valued at £10,000 to £15,000. It has never been offered for sale before.
Mr Vettriano said: ‘It’s been in my studio for 30 years but I think it’s a lovely little painting. I think this is a good time to let it go.
‘We have all been moved by the plight of the ordinary Ukrainian people caught up in the fighting and forced to abandon their homes.
I hope that the proceeds of the sale will go some way to help.’
May Matthews, Bonhams managing director, Scotland, said: ‘Fans of Vettriano span the globe and we always see strong bidding for his work. This is a fantastic opportunity to buy such a rare Vettriano and also support a very good cause.’