The First Minister of Scotland's official christmas card, created by Jack Vettriano, was unveiled last night at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. The image, entitled Let's Twist Again (pictured on the left) features a stylish couple in black tie dress dancing at a Christmas party.
Vettriano donated the painting and the proceeds from the auction of the work will be split between four Scottish charities Bethany Christian Trust, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, Quarriers and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Vettriano said although he felt immensely "proud and flattered" when the First Minister first rang him to create a painting for the card he initially had some doubts about whether he could deliver something appropriate.
One of Scotland's most popular contemporary painters, Vettriano is known for his enigmatic, retro-styled figurative compositions, often featuring steamy scenes with derobed females.
"When we were chatting about ideas for the Christmas painting, I couldn't help but ask 'Are you sure about this?' and was relieved when he said 'yes, absolutely'," said Vettriano.
"I did warn the First Minister not to expect a snowy landscape any time soon as I felt it important to stay true to myself and my style of work. We had barely said cheerio on the phone, when ideas started to brew for an image featuring a couple dressed up in their finery, dancing at a Christmas party. I wanted to show the fun side of the festive season - the presents, the excuse to dress up and the romance in the air at this time of year. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that he would like it."
At the launch event last night (see video), the First Minister said that he had wanted something "fun" and was "delighted" with the final work. "I think folk need a bit of cheering up at christmas," said Salmond, describing Let's Twist Again as "a fun festive image in Jack's trademark style."
Certainly, it will be less open to the kind of criticisms of "politicising Christmas" that were levelled by opposition MPs when the First Minister's christmas card was unveiled last year.
Gerard Burns's "A New Journey" featured a girl with a Saltire slung over her shoulder. (It is pictured above with John Bellany's 2008 First Minister's Christmas card cover of Macduff harbour.)
Vettriano's is a more subtle affair than "A New Journey". There's no overt nationalist flag-waving, kilt, or tartan, just the playful sugggestion of a Saltire in the largest unwrapped gift behind the dancing couple. Vettriano has painted just half of the blue and white present on the canvas.
So what if you take the title of Vettriano's work as a reference to the teasing, half-painted present?
Twist it again 180 degrees clockwise. What do you get?
Charities Reactions
As well as the proceeds of the auction of the painting, the four charities will also each receive six signed limited edition prints of Let's Twist Again.
The sale of the original paintings and limited edition prints of the First Minister's previous three Christmas cards raised around £50,000 for good causes.
Iain Gordon, Bethany Chief Executive
"Support from the First Minister's Christmas card is a timely gesture that recognises the plight of homeless and vulnerable people during the harshest of seasons. More than this, it is also a very welcome investment into Bethany's vital winter work. Such support means that more of Scotland's homeless and vulnerable people can be offered hope, a future and the chance to move on to better things this Christmas."
Ruth McCabe, Maggie's Fife's Centre Head
"Maggie's are honoured to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this year's First Minister's Christmas card. Jack Vettriano and the First Minister have visited Maggie's Fife and Highlands Centres respectively, with both very taken with Maggie's programme of support. The festive period can be a particularly difficult time for people facing the devastating consequences of cancer.
"At Maggie's Centres across Scotland, we will be working hard to offer people the space, the time, the skills and the support needed to understand and manage their experience of cancer. I hope people enjoy receiving such a beautiful card from the First Minister and we will look forward to receiving our limited edition prints, which I am sure will raise fantastic funds to directly support people living with cancer."
Carol Anne McMahon, Teenage Cancer Trust Regional Fundraising Manager - Appeals, Scotland and Northern Ireland
"I am delighted that Teenage Cancer Trust has been chosen as one of the benefiting charities of the First Minister's Christmas Card 2010. The money donated from the sale of the painting will go to our current fundraising appeal to fund a specialist unit for teenagers and young adults with cancer at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh in 2011. It will take us one step closer to our goal that every teenager and young adult with cancer from the East of Scotland has access to a Teenage Cancer Trust unit and the services that we provide. The support of the First Minister is very much appreciated."
Paul Moore, chief executive of Quarriers
"We are delighted that Quarriers has been selected as one of the charities benefiting from the proceeds of the First Minister's Christmas Card this year. Through our 125 services, supporting adults with disabilities, children and families, people with epilepsy and young adults, the money raised will help those greatest in need across Scotland. Continued generosity like this helps Quarriers to continue its work and change the lives of individuals and families across the country for the better."