a celebrated painter, born at Laaren, near Naarden, in Holland, in 1613. His name was Peeter van Laer; but in Italy he was called Bamboccio, on account of the strange proportions of his person. Nature, however, made him amends in the superior beauties of his mind. His style of painting was sweet and true, and his touch delicate, with great transparency of colouring. His subjects were taken from scenes in humble life, such as plunderings, playing at bowls, inns, cattle, conversations, &c.; yet his designs were so correct, and so highly finished, that his manner was adopted by many Italian painters of his time.