Robert E. Stutts

“Metamorphosis: Titian 2012,” an exhibition at The National Gallery, is a “multi-arts project, part of the Cultural Olympiad’s London 2012 Festival, [and] draws on the powerful stories of change found in Titian’s masterpieces, revealing how these spectacular paintings continue to inspire living artists.” One of those artists inspired by Titian’s work (which was inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses) is Tell No One, a director-duo (Luke White and Remi Weekes) who made Metamorphosis, a short film based on the paintings Diana and Actaeon and The Death of Actaeon (see images below). The film is beautiful and terrible, much like the myth of Diana and Actaeon*, and I’ve found myself watching it over and over, so be sure to watch it full screen. (And how did I not recognize Anna Friel the first couple times I watched it?)

*For those of you unfamiliar with the myth, here’s the short version: Actaeon, while on a hunt, discovers the virgin goddess Diana at her bath, and to see Diana naked is a terrible transgression. In her embarrassment and fury, Diana transforms Actaeon into a stag, who bounds back into the forest. Not long after, Actaeon is set upon by his own hunting dogs and killed by his friends, who have mistaken him for their prey.

Titian – The Death of Actaeon