KIM CATTRALL - SEX AND THE CITY STAR TO RECREATE TITIAN MASTERPIECE

SEX AND THE CITY STAR TO RECREATE TITIAN MASTERPIECE

Actress Kim Cattrall is to take part in the creation of a modern version of Titian's Diana and Actaeon.

The Sex and the City actress will pose alongside performers from theatre production La Clique for a project conceived by BBC2's The Culture Show and artist and photographer Tom Hunter.

The BBC arts programme challenged Hunter to create a 21st century version of the painting after he came out in support of the campaign to raise £50 million to keep it on public display in Britain.

The Duke of Sutherland, the painting's owner, has given the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery, London until December 31st to raise the necessary value to buy the piece.

"Kim is the perfect Diana," said Hunter. "Just like the Greek goddess, she combines beauty with a sense of threat. She was a great sport and at 52 made an amazing Diana.

"She more than held her own among a room full of 20somethings. The picture can't of course hold a candle to the original which deserves to remain on public view."

He added: "This painting is sublime and to lose it to a private collection would be a tragedy.'

Cattrall described viewing the painting as "like being in the presence of genius. It would be a tragedy if it were not on public view".

The Culture Show featuring the collaboration will be screened on BBC2 on Tuesday November 25th at 22:00 BST.