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Bring battle painting 'into view' Bring battle painting 'into view'
(40 minutes later)
A painting of King William of Orange heading to the Battle of the Boyne should hang in public, a nationalist assembly member has said.A painting of King William of Orange heading to the Battle of the Boyne should hang in public, a nationalist assembly member has said.
The artwork has been largely hidden from public view since being bought by the Stormont Government in 1933 for £209 and four shillings.The artwork has been largely hidden from public view since being bought by the Stormont Government in 1933 for £209 and four shillings.
The plea for a wider platform came after it was found hanging in the Speaker's office last month.The plea for a wider platform came after it was found hanging in the Speaker's office last month.
The SDLP's John Dallat said a prominent place in Stormont should be found.The SDLP's John Dallat said a prominent place in Stormont should be found.
He said it would "intrigue visitors and certainly put another slant on our previous beleaguered history".He said it would "intrigue visitors and certainly put another slant on our previous beleaguered history".
A figure believed to be Pope Innocent XI appears to bless William IIIA figure believed to be Pope Innocent XI appears to bless William III
The painting, which shows Pope Innocent hovering over King William en route to the Boyne battle site was vandalised the last time it was on public display at Stormont.The painting, which shows Pope Innocent hovering over King William en route to the Boyne battle site was vandalised the last time it was on public display at Stormont.
Red paint was thrown over the image of the Pope and it was also slashed with a knife and after restoration at a cost of £32 and 10 shillings it was decided to move it to a less exposed site. Red paint was thrown over the image of the Pope and it was also slashed with a knife.
After restoration, at a cost of £32 and 10 shillings, it was decided to move it to a less exposed site.
In 1975 it was hung in the Public Record Office in Belfast and remained there until 1983.In 1975 it was hung in the Public Record Office in Belfast and remained there until 1983.
The painting, believed to be by Pieter van der Meulen, the Dutch monarch's court artist, has since been away from public view and last year sat in a room at the back of the Senate chamber in Parliament Buildings.The painting, believed to be by Pieter van der Meulen, the Dutch monarch's court artist, has since been away from public view and last year sat in a room at the back of the Senate chamber in Parliament Buildings.
Alliance Party Assembly member Sean Neeson said that during the summer a request had been made for the painting to go on loan.Alliance Party Assembly member Sean Neeson said that during the summer a request had been made for the painting to go on loan.
"Clearly it is quite a significant painting," said Mr Neeson."Clearly it is quite a significant painting," said Mr Neeson.