Jack Vettriano paintings go on sale at Edinburgh auction

The Scottish self-taught painter Jack Vettriano (63) is one of Britain's most successful artists. His most famous painting, The Singing Butler (1992) – which depicts a couple in evening dress dancing on a beach surrounded by a butler and maid holding umbrellas – was rejected by the Royal Academy. It is now, apparently, the bestselling art image in the UK, reproduced on posters, prints and greeting cards.

A private collection of paintings by Vettriano will go under the hammer at a Bonhams auction in Edinburgh on Tuesday, March 31st.

The 12 paintings, which are on the market for the first time with a collective top estimate of £1.2 million, include Waltzers (estimated at £200,000- £300,000) and The Missing Man II (£100,000-£150,000).

"This is one of the most comprehensive collections of Vettriano's work ever assembled, covering the major period of the artist's career and giving a vivid insight into his artistic development," says Chris Brickley, head of Scottish Art at Bonhams.

Collectors of Vettriano's paintings reputedly include former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and US actor Jack Nicholson.