Brief Biography-Pieter Bodding van Laer, from Haarlem, spent the highlight of his career in Rome as a member of the Bamboccianti group of Flemish artists. They were painters who introduced the Northern genre style of art to Italy. All were members of the Bentvueghels, the leading group of Dutch artists in Italy. Van Laer’s ‘Bent’ nickname was Il Bamboccio or Ugly Doll. He strongly influenced the group; the Dutch artist Esaias van de Velde had tutored him in Haarlem. He also became a printmaker doing several animal-themed works. Van Laer returned to Haarlem, but where or when he died is unclear. Arnold Houbraken suggested Van Laer drowned himself due to depression.