The Whigs had vigorously prosecuted the War of the Spanish Succession against France, with notable victories under the command of the Duke of Marlborough.

In the year of the painting, they were toppled from power by the rival Tories led by Robert Harley, who signed the Treaty of Utrecht ending the war.

Only the Hanoverian Succession of 1714 led to the Whig return to power and enabled them to Impeach Harley.

Standing on the right is Admiral Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, who commissioned the painting, and was best known for his victory over the French Navy at the Battle of La Hogue in 1692, forestalling a planned invasion of Britain by Jacibites.

Today it is part of the collection of Tate Britain in Pimlico, having been acquired in 2018 by the government in acceptance in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the gallery.