This presentation is the culmination of several year's research investigating the symbolism of Michael Dalh's triple portrait of three gentlemen drinking wine and eating bread. The central character passes a ring over the rim of a glass of red wine which this author interprets as a secret toast to the recently deposed King James II, who from 1688 was living in exile in France with his wife and their infant son, James Francis Edward Stuart. The iconography within the painting echoes that of the Last Supper where the trio toast the health of an absent friend who they may, or may not, see again.

This talk also sets the political context against which the painting was executed, together with the political loyalties of the sitters and the rituals and symbolism involved.

What this talk reveals is that political affiliations in this period were fluid, with aristocratic families often spreading their loyalties between opposing parties. Backing the wrong side could (and would) lead to loss of title, property, fortune or in serious cases, execution or exile.