10 Facts About Andrew Vicari

Andrew Vicari was born in Port Talbot, Wales, in 1932 to Italian parents, Vittorio Vaccari, and his wife, Italini Bertani, from Parma.

Andrew Vicari was evacuated to Aberdare during World War II.

Andrew Vicari initially been refused a place at the Slade and was only admitted when someone dropped out.

Andrew Vicari stayed there and in Rome for two years before returning 'penniless' to the UK.

Andrew Vicari then began working in London as a portrait painter and in 1961 a large show of his work was put on in the former Debenhams showroom near Leicester Square financed by the band leader and impresario Jack Hylton.

Andrew Vicari's work is appreciated worldwide, especially in the Middle East where three museums are solely dedicated to his work.

In 1974, Andrew Vicari was appointed as the official painter to the King and Government of Saudi Arabia.

Andrew Vicari lived and worked at his studio outside Nice, France, although he owned apartments in Riyadh and Monte Carlo.

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

Andrew Vicari died at Morriston Hospital, Swansea on 3 October 2016 at the age of 84.