The Prince of Orange, William III, Embarked from Holland, and Landed at Torbay, November 4th, 1688, after a Stormy Passage
- Original dimensions
- 90.2 x 120 cm
- Museum
- Tate
- Year
- 1832
Scene depicted
This iconic painting tells the moment when William III of the House of Orange-Nassau lands at Torbay after a tumultuous crossing from the Netherlands. The raging waves and the troubled sky illustrate the peril he faced. This canvas resonates with the urgency of the events that will disrupt the English political landscape.
Historical context
Created in 1832, this painting masterfully fits into the tumultuous historical context of the Glorious Revolution in England. The canvas , currently displayed at the Tate in London, combines the legacy of the 18th century and the emergence of romanticism . Turner illustrates a key moment of the heroic passage of William III, a symbol of change.
Anecdote
“Light is the source of everything, it dances among the shadows and reveals the soul of our struggles.” This thought from Turner evokes the inspiration that guided him one autumn day. The morning mist on the shores of England nourished his visions, and his heart filled with the thrill of history ready to be written.