Circle of William van der Hagen (c.1720-c.1745)

This picture appears to be a copy after William van der Hagen's painting of the same subject in the Ulster Museum. The original was painted by van der Hagen for Robert Baillie of Dublin, a furniture and tapestry maker who had been commissioned to create a series of tapestries for the new House of Lords in Dublin. The scenes were all important events in Irish history, including William's landing at Carrickfergus. Baillie commissioned van der Hagen to paint 'prospects' of these scenes.
William III landed at Carrickfergus (his flaghip being commanded by Sir Cloudsley Shovel) on 14 June 1690 with the intention of supressing the Jacobite uprising in Ireland. After disembarking, William (shown being rowed ashore to the left) proceeded to Belfast where he assumed command of his forces and marched towards Drogheda. He achieved victory at the Battle of the Boyne on 30 June, thereby ensuring the defeat of King James II.