Background
Vicari, Andrew was born on April 20, 1938 in Port Talbot, Wales. Son of Cavaliere Vittorio Vicari and Italia Bertani.
Vicari, Andrew was born on April 20, 1938 in Port Talbot, Wales. Son of Cavaliere Vittorio Vicari and Italia Bertani.
He later attended Neath Grammar School for Boys. Between 1951 and 1953 he studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art at University College, London (University College London) with Lucian Freud as a teacher.
Despite being largely unknown in his own country, as of 2004 Vicari was Britain"s richest living painter. He was evacuated to Aberdare during World World War World War II On graduation, Vicari started working in London as a portrait painter. Eschewing modern trends, Vicari has remained a figurative artist working in oil.
His work is appreciated worldwide, 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 following decades he painted many portraits of the Saudi royal family as well as scenes of Riyadh and Bedouin life.
lieutenant is largely 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.
Vicari currently lives and works at his studio outside Nice, France, although he also owns apartments in Riyadh and Monte Carlo.
In 2006 his fortune was valued at £92 million by the Sunday Times Rich List. However, in October 2014 it was reported Vicari had filed for bankruptcy and had been in poor health.
World patron Beacon Millenium Trust. Official painter: King and Government of Saudi Arabia, Interpol, Compagnie Republicaine de Securite, European Parl and Council of Europe Beaux Arts Prize, 1995. Honorary vice president Neath Male Voice Choir.
Freeman, City of London, 2002. Member The Guild of Freeman of the City of London, Liveryman of Wales, Worshipful Company Firefighters.. Fellow London Zoological Society.
Member European Hotel Managers Association (honorary), East India and Public Schools Club (London), Cardiff (Wales) and County Club, Bristol Channel Yacht Club, Lords Cricket Ground London, Marylebone Cricket Club, Rotary International (honorary).