W.Gordon Smith

Vettriano is a controversial artist who attracts scorn from the artists' 'establishment', perhaps because his work is highly approachable by people who appreciate beauty and artistic quality without possessing an educated background in 'art'. His work has an immediate impact on the untutored eye, and it evokes a powerful, yet mysterious eroticism. This book is a small, but rich introduction to Vettriano's work, delightfully set into the context of Scottish poetry and prose extracts which complement the visual images, reinforcing their mystery. The words used are well chosen in this respect, encouraging the viewer to develop an independent view of the artist's intentions. The essentially Scottish quality of Vettriano's painting is significantly enhanced by Gordon Smith's talent in this. The book is an excellent introduction to the art, and will be appreciated by non-specialists as a joy to read, again and again.… (meer)