Eddy Frankel’s article on Jack Vettriano (‘His paintings are like a double cheeseburger in a greasy wrapper’, 3 March) is full of the sort of backhanded compliments, grudging recognition and snobbish disdain that followed the Scottish painter throughout his career. For many art critics, Vettriano committed the ultimate sin of being popular with the sort of people who don’t usually “get” art. Or, as Frankel puts it, the sort of people who enjoy the occasional McDonald’s cheeseburger.
I’ve always been wary of the notion that art is better if you have to perform mental acrobatics in order to “get” it. I have been shown “good” modern art many times, and have been told why it is good – but I would not necessarily want it hanging in my home.
