Metamorphosis: Poems Inspired by Titian

Titian’s interpretations of Ovid’s Metamorphoses prompted a new collection of poems inspired by these arresting mythological scenes. Here we publish a suite of poems by Jo Shapcott, George Szirtes, Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Lavinia Greenlaw, Seamus Heaney and Don Paterson. You can also listen to Jo Shapcott and George Szirtes read their poems and discuss transformation and how the gods always have the upper hand.

Detail from ‘Diana and Callisto’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘Diana and Actaeon’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘Diana and Actaeon’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘Diana and Callisto’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘Diana and Callisto’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘The Death of Actaeon’ (1559-75) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

Detail from ‘Diana and Actaeon’ (1556-9) by Titian. Copyright: The National Gallery, London.

You can visit the National Gallery’s website for readings and more information about the ‘Titian: Metamorphosis’ celebrations.