Titian masterpiece Diana and Actaeon to dazzle at McManus Galleries

Printer-friendly version

There was only one way in for the Old Master, and that was the Grand Entrance stairway.

Passers-by held their breath as Titian's famous painting Diana and Actaeon, a European gem, made its way up the stairs into Dundee's McManus Galleries.

Contained in a large red wooden crate, the stunning canvas will be formally unveiled on Friday and will be in Dundee for a month as part of a national tour.

Last year Titian's masterpiece was the subject of a fund-raising campaign to keep it in the country.

It was acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London with private and public donations.

Shared between NGS and NGL, the painting will spend five years at each institution.

The painting was bought for £50 million from its owner, the Duke of Sutherland, and the Scottish tour marks the anniversary of its acquisition.

It has visited Aberdeen and Glasgow and now Dundee's citizens have the chance to feast their eyes on the masterpiece.

Monday was a chance to marvel at the logistics of getting the large-scale canvas, some six feet by seven feet, in its case through the door at the top of the Grand Entrance.

A large lorry delivered the crate into the grip of a crane which was backed up on to the entrance.

A wooden platform was built at the top of the steps so the precious cargo could be eased in.

Press release taken from 'The Courier' dated 3 August 2010.