Titian masterpiece draws crowds

Diana and Actaeon was bought for the nation last year

More than 140,000 people have been to see a Titian painting bought for the nation for £50m, the Scottish government has said.

The 16th Century Diana and Actaeon has been on tour since May and is currently on display at the McManus Galleries, Dundee.

The masterpiece was bought from the Duke of Sutherland last year.

It has already been exhibited in Glasgow and Aberdeen to mark the first anniversary of its acquisition.

Contributions to the fund to buy the painting were made by the Scottish government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Monument Trust and the Art Fund.

Further funds were also raised after a public appeal.

The McManus Galleries said almost 2,500 people had viewed the painting on its opening weekend.

On a visit to the galleries, Scottish Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop 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."

'Prestigious acquisition'

The painting's owner, the Duke Of Sutherland, decided in the summer of 2007 to sell the painting and a public campaign was launched in a bid to raise the money.

The funds were finally secured in February 2009.

Bob Duncan, arts convener for Dundee City Council, said the city was delighted to be hosting a "prestigious national acquisition".

He added: "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."