BOL (Ferdinand), a celebrated painter both of history and portraits, was born at Dort in 1611, and educated at Amsterdam. In the school of the celebrated Rembrandt Gerretz, he received his instructions as a painter; and imitated the style of his master with no little success, not only in his pictures but in his engravings. Bol's etchings are bold and free. The lights and shadows in them are broad and powerful, which renders the effect very striking; but they want that lightness of touch and admirable taste which those of Rembrandt possess in so great a degree. Bol died at Dort, the place of his birth, in 1681, aged 70.