McManus to Display £50m Masterpiece

A £50 MILLION Titian masterpiece which was saved for the nation is to go on public display in Dundee later this year.

On the first anniversary of the acquisition of Diana and Actaeon, the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and the National Gallery in London announced a tour of the painting to three Scots venues yesterday.

The public can view the painting at the McManus Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum from August 6 to September 5 2010.

Dundee City Council arts convener Councillor Bob Duncan said, "We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious national acquisition within the newly-restored McManus Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.

"It is important that we bring the very best to the city to complement the nationally recognised collections we hold on behalf of the citizens of Dundee and indeed the nation."

He added, "The National Galleries are to be congratulated on this initiative of bringing this work to the people of Scotland."

Diana and Actaeon was acquired from the Duke of Sutherland by the NGS and the National Gallery in London in February 2009, after a large public and private fund-raising campaign.

It is one of six mythologies inspired by Roman poet Ovid that Titian painted for King Philip II of Spain.

Titian began the picture and its companion Diana and Callisto in 1556, the year of Philip's coronation, and worked on them for three years.

NGS director-general John Leighton called the work "one of the great masterpieces of Western art."

The newly refurbished McManus Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum is due to open to the public and the end of February.  For more information on the McManus visit http://www.mcmanus.co.uk/