Titian, “Diana and Actaeon,†1556‵9, oil on canvas, 72 5/8 by 79 5/8 inches. Acquired jointly by the National Gallery London and the National Galleries of Scotland with the assistance of the Scottish government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Monument Trust, the Art Fund and through public appeal 2008.

The National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery, London, announced on February 2 that Titian’s “Diana and Actaeon” has been acquired for the nation from the Duke of Sutherland. The acquisition was made possible by contributions from private and public donations, the Scottish government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Monument Trust, the Art Fund charity and NGL and NGS funds.

The painting will be shared by the National Galleries of Scotland and National Gallery, London and will be displayed for five years at each institution in turn. The purchase of Titian’s “Diana and Actaeon” brings this extraordinary painting into public ownership, and the galleries have received assurances that the rest of the Bridgewater Collection will remain on loan to the National Galleries of Scotland for the next 21 years.

“Diana and Actaeon” is one of six large-scale mythologies inspired by the Roman poet Ovid that Titian painted for King Philip II of Spain (Titian’s great portrait of whom featured in the recent “Renaissance Faces” exhibition at the National Gallery). Titian began the picture and its companion “Diana and Callisto” in 1556, the year of Philip’s coronation. Spurred on by the prestige of royal patronage, he unleashed all his creativity to produce works of unprecedented beauty and inventiveness.

Titian worked for three years to perfect these masterpieces, which were shipped to Spain in 1559. He claimed their lengthy genesis was due to the relentless pains he took to make sumptuous works of art worthy of the king.

The National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery, London, formed a partnership in August 2008 to raise $70 million to acquire “Diana and Actaeon” by December 31. In a prepared release, the NGS said, “We are grateful to the Duke of Sutherland for offering the painting at much below its market value and for giving us several years in which to make payments.”

The galleries said they have also been granted the opportunity to buy a second painting, “Diana and Callisto,” for a similar amount by 2012.

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