Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)
Diana and Actaeon
1556"I am so glad that the National Galleries of Scotland fought so hard to get this painting. For Scotland to have paintings of this quality and magnitude says much about our confidence and cultural ambitions. I believe we will reap huge rewards on many levels for this investment. Titian clearly adored the female form, something many of us today have forgotten how to do. Women are encouraged to starve, pummel and cut bits off our bodies to achieve an idealised shape which, as this painting so beautifully demonstrates, we were never meant to have. I love it!"
Elaine C Smith, actress
- Glossary (3 terms)
- Open
Mythological
Refers to figures and events from myths which are the ancient stories that usually explain the origins of historical or natural phenomena.
Ovid's Metamorphoses
A poem in fifteen books by the Roman poet, Ovid, which tells the story of the creation and history of the world according to Greek and Roman mythology.
Poesie
A term, meaning 'poetry', used by Titian for paintings of mythological subjects derived from literary sources. He painted a series of these for King Philip II of Spain with subject matter taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
- Glossary (5 terms)
- Open
Allegory
Where the ‘story’ of a work has a deeper underlying meaning – often used for the representation of grand, abstract ideas.
Altarpiece
An artwork behind a church altar featuring religious scenes or imagery which was usually the focus for the celebration of the Mass.
Commission
When an individual or organisation employs an artist to execute a particular project, the process and the resulting work are termed a ‘commission’.
Mythological
Refers to figures and events from myths which are the ancient stories that usually explain the origins of historical or natural phenomena.
Patronage
The support given to artists by an individual or organisation, usually through buying or funding their work.
- Credits 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, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation) and through public appeal, 2009
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 184.50 x 202.20 cm (framed: 237.50 x 262.10 x 16.9 cm)
