Diana and Actaeon is now on display in Room 15, where it will remain for the next four and a half years.

The Renaissance artwork, jointly acquired with the National Gallery in London in 2009, features a new hand-carved frame based on Venetian designs. 

The painting depicts the hunter Actaeon discovering the goddess Diana bathing with her attendants.

Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Diana and Actaeon, 1556 - 1559. Purchased jointly by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery, London, with contributions from The Scottish Government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Monument Trust, Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), Artemis Investment Management Ltd, Binks Trust, Mr Busson on behalf of EIM Group, Dunard Fund, The Fuserna Foundation, Gordon Getty, The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation, J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, John Dodd, Northwood Charitable Trust, The Rothschild Foundation, Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement and through public appeal, 2009.
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Diana and Actaeon, 1556 – 1559. Purchased jointly by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery, London, with contributions from The Scottish Government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Monument Trust, Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), Artemis Investment Management Ltd, Binks Trust, Mr Busson on behalf of EIM Group, Dunard Fund, The Fuserna Foundation, Gordon Getty, The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation, J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, John Dodd, Northwood Charitable Trust, The Rothschild Foundation, Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement and through public appeal, 2009.

Considered a defining work of the Renaissance period, the piece was created during the height of Titian’s career. 

It explores the impact of Actaeon’s intrusion through light, colour and brushwork. 

The painting, alongside its companion piece Diana and Callisto, has influenced generations of artists. 

The late artist Lucian Freud previously praised the works, stating: “The degree of conviction is so absolute. That’s one of the things that very great paintings have in common.”

Freud added: “Everything they contain is there for the viewer’s pleasure. To me, these are simply the most beautiful pictures in the world.”

The National Gallery is open daily and is free for visitors.

https://www.nationalgalleries.org

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