Battle of the Boyne
West became known for his large scale history paintings, which use expressive figures, colours and compositional schemes to help the spectator to identify with the scene represented. West called this "epic representation". His 1778 work "The Battle of the Boyne" portrayed William of Orange's victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and strongly influenced subsequent images of William. In 1806 he produced "The Death of Nelson", to commemorate Horatio Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar.