King William III; Queen Mary II
Art Fund Popular Portraits Collection. Photo: © National Portrait Gallery, London
King William III; Queen Mary II
by Unknown artist
tin-glazed earthenware, painted, circa 1689-1695
8 3/4 in. (222 mm) diameter
Purchased with help from Sir Harry Djanogly and the Art Fund, 2018
Reference Collection
NPG D48625
On display in Room 7 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sittersback to top
- Queen Mary II (1662-1694), Reigned with William III 1689-94. Sitter associated with 97 portraits.
- King William III (1650-1702), Reigned 1689-1702. Sitter associated with 142 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This plate was produced around the time of the ‘Glorious Revolution’ when the Catholic monarch, James II, was overthrown in favour of Protestant William and his wife, James’s daughter Mary. It would have been displayed within the home to demonstrate loyalty to the new Protestant regime that was introduced in 1688.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1689back to top
Current affairs
William III is crowned jointly with his wife Mary II in Westminster Abbey in an unprecedented coronation of two monarchs.The Bill of Rights is passed establishing the supremacy of Parliament, while limiting the power of the Crown.
Scottish Jacobites defeat Williamite troops at the Battle of Killiiecrankie.
Art and science
Thomas Shadwell, appointed poet laureate and historiographer royal, replaces John Dryden, his literary adversary.John Riley and Godfrey Kneller are jointly appointed principal painter to the king.
Composer Henry Purcell presents his opera, Dido and Aeneas, at Josias Priest's girls' school.
International
Supported by Irish Catholics, deposed James II lands in Ireland with French troops commanded by Duc de Lauzun. Within months, James and Jacobite, Richard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnel convene the 'Patriot Parliament' which re-establishes Catholics into government and repeals the Act of Settlement (1652), restoring confiscated lands to Catholic owners.Comments back to top
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