Titian saved for the nation

Campaigners have secured the £50m they need to buy a 16th Century Titian for the nation. Diana and Actaeon was offered for sale by its owner, the Duke of Sutherland last year and the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London have now announced that they have raised the majority of the finance required to keep the picture in the UK. The Scottish Government has pledged £12.5m, £7.4m has come from public donations and £12.5m has come from National Galleries in London. The remaider was pledged from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, which has given £10m; the Monument Trust has pledged £2m; £4.6m has come from the National Galleries of Scotland and £1m was secured from the Art Fund.

The painting has been on public display in Britain for more than 200 years and plans are now afoot for the painting to alternate between the galleries in London and Edinburgh.

John Leighton, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that one of the most important paintings in the world will be added to the national collections for the enjoyment and inspiration of the public and we are delighted that the world-famous Bridgewater Collection will continue to be available on long loan to Scotland.

‘We are hugely grateful to all the individuals and all the funding bodies who responded so warmly and wholeheartedly to this campaign over the past four months.’