The work of an old master and its new home both won praise from Scotland”s culture minister during a tour of Dundee.
Fiona Hyslop visited the refurbished McManus Galleries to view Titian’s Diana and Actaeon while on a whistlestop tour of the City of Discovery.
On her first visit to the McManus since its re-opening following a multi-million pound refurbishment, she said, “I’m tremendously impressed by the McManus.
“It has a fantastic atmosphere and the refurbishment of the building has really opened up this part of Dundee.
More than 2500 people have visited the McManus Galleries to see Diana and Actaeon since the touring exhibition opened to the public on Friday.Already more than 140,000 Scots have flocked to see the painting while it has been on display in Glasgow, Aberdeen and now Dundee.
Ms Hyslop said, “I think it’s important Dundee is put on the map.
“The refurbishment has done it for the galleries, but to have the Titian here has taken it to a different platform, and really makes sure that the galleries have an opportunity to celebrate what it has, but also to make sure the Titian is seen by as many people as possible.
“Having been acquired for the nation, it is absolutely right that Titian’s Diana and Actaeon is made available to as wide an audience as possible.
“I am delighted the tour is proving such a success. Diana and Actaeon is an exceptional and powerful work of art and it is fantastic to see it being enjoyed by so many people across Scotland.”
Dundee City Council leisure, arts and communities convener Councillor Bob Duncan said, “We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious national acquisition within the newly restored McManus.
“It is important that we bring the very best to the city to complement the nationally recognised collections we hold on behalf of the citizens of Dundee and indeed the nation. The National Galleries are to be congratulated on bringing this work to the people of Scotland.”
Ms Hyslop also visited the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at Dundee University on her trip to the city.
The museum is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dundee’s pioneer of life sciences, Professor Sir D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, through a series of events this year.
Ms Hyslop said, “Professor Sir D’Arcy Thompson was one of the intellectual giants of the modern age and his scientific discoveries made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world. It is important that we remember and celebrate Scotland’s great minds and innovations.”