3 Mar 2012

Painting by Titian acquired by two galleries

7:53 am on 3 March 2012

An oil painting by Titian has been acquired by the National Gallery in England and the National Galleries of Scotland.

Diana and Callisto was purchased for £45 million from the Duke of Sutherland.

Some £25 million came from the National Gallery. The rest of the money came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Art Fund and individual donors and trusts.

The two galleries also bought Diana and Actaeon in 2009 for £50 million.

The two pieces will be displayed together on a rotating basis in London and Edinburgh.

They were produced in the 1500s by the Renaissance artist and are considered to be among his greatest works.

They are among six large-scale works, painted for Philip II of Spain, and inspired by the Roman poet Ovid.

Diana and Callisto depicts a nymph, impregnated by the god Jupiter, being expelled by the goddess.

The two paintings formed part of the Duke of Sutherland's Bridgewater Collection - featuring works by Raphael, Rembrandt and Poussin - which has been on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland since 1945.