More than 140,000 people have seen Titian’s Diana and Actaeon since the painting’s tour of Scotland commenced in May this year.
The 16th century masterpiece is currently on display at the recently refurbished The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, where it was viewed by almost 2,500 people during the exhibition’s opening weekend. The painting has already been on show in Glasgow and Aberdeen in celebration of the first anniversary of its acquisition for the nation.
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop visited the McManus Galleries today, during a visit to Dundee as part of her summer tour. She said:
“Having been acquired for the nation, it is absolutely right that Titian’s Diana and Actaeon is made available to as wide an audience as possible. I am delighted the tour is proving such a success. Diana and Actaeon is an exceptional and powerful work of art and it is fantastic to see it being enjoyed by so many people across Scotland.
“Dundee is renowned as a city of many discoveries and the refurbished McManus Galleries is a fitting venue for visitors to experience first-hand the delights of this world-class masterpiece.”
Dundee City Council Leisure, Arts and Communities Convener Councillor Bob Duncan said:
“We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious national acquisition within the newly restored McManus. 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. The National Galleries are to be congratulated on this initiative of bringing this work to the people of Scotland.”
While in Dundee as part of her summer tour programme, the Minister also visited the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at the University of Dundee, which is marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dundee’s pioneer of life sciences, Professor Sir D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson.
Ms Hyslop said:
“Professor Sir D’Arcy Thompson was one of the intellectual giants of the modern age and his scientific discoveries made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world. It is important that we remember and celebrate Scotland’s great minds and innovations. So, I am glad to see Dundee marking this anniversary and telling the story of this great man.”
Titian’s Diana and Actaeon was acquired for the nation by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London in February 2009 for £50 million with contributions from the Scottish Government, The National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Monument Trust, The Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation) and through public appeal.
Diana and Actaeon is on display at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum until 5 September 2010. Admission to the exhibition is free. The painting has also been on display in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
A series of exhibitions and events are being held in 2010 to mark the 150th anniversary of Professor Sir D’Arcy Thompson’s birth, in a collaborative project between the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews.
