The Florentine sculptor and medalist Soldani-Benzi made highly finished copies of antique sculpture and also continued a tradition of ‘painting in sculpture’, of which this set is a fine example. Summer and Autumn from the set were purchased in 1715 by the 21-year-old Lord Burlington from Soldani-Benzi’s Florence studio, leaving a commission for Spring and Winter, the latter incorporating Burlington’s earl’s coronet above his coat of arms. Presented by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington (1694 – 1753) to George II Cat. 106