Andrew Vicari

Andrew Vicari (20 April 1938 – 3 October 2016) was a Welsh painter working in France. He painted portraits of the rich and famous. Despite being largely unknown in his own country, in 2004 Vicari was Britain's richest living painter. At one time he was the Britain 18th richest person in Britain.

Vicari was always a figurative artist working in oil. His work was appreciated especially in the Middle East where three museums are solely dedicated to his work.

In 1974 Vicari was appointed as the official painter to the King and Government of Saudi Arabia. In the years which followed he painted many portraits of the Saudi royal family, and scenes of Riyadh and Bedouin life. It is mainly due to this patronage that Vicari owes his financial success. In 2001 he sold a collection of 125 paintings of the First Gulf War to Prince Khaled for £17 million.

His fortune was valued at £92 million in 2006 by the Sunday Times Rich List.Sunday Times Rich List:   

Personal life
Vicari lived and worked at his studio outside Nice, France, but he also owned apartments in Riyadh and Monte Carlo.

In October 2014 it was reported Vicari had filed for bankruptcy and had been in poor health.

Vicari died at Morriston Hospital, Swansea on 3 October 2016.

 References 

Other websites
 I am the king of painters, The Guardian, November 16, 2001
 Official Website 

Category:1938 births
Category:2016 deaths
Category:British painters
Category:Welsh people