These busts of learned men were created for Queen Caroline's Hermitage, a celebratory memorial to scientific 'worthies' at Richmond. All five men were concerned with questions of science, metaphysics and the application of human reason, but Richard Boyle, chemist, physicist, philosopher and founder member of the Royal Society, took pride of place. His bust stood at the centre of the Hermitage raised higher than the others and with a sunburst behind it. Commissioned by Queen Caroline in 1731 for her new Hermitage at Richmond Palace; probably completed in 1732 Cat 145-9