Painter. Ferdinand Bol was a Dutch painter of the 17th century or the "Dutch Golden Age", whose work was highly influenced by world-famed Rembrandt. A prosperous surgeon's son, he studied first with artists in his hometown before moving to Amsterdam. After 1630, he studied with Rembrandt with other students, yet he lived in Rembrandt's home for years. Bol's signature witnessing a document concerning Rembrandt's wife Saskia's inheritance in 1640 gives proof of the close relationship between the two painters. In 1641, Bol started his own studio and by 1650 had developed his own style, leaving Rembrandt's style. On exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, his 1642 painting, "Portrait of a Woman," is one of three of his earliest paintings of the same subject wearing fine clothing. Becoming a recognized talented painter, his social ranking had increased by 1652. In October of 1653, he married Elisabeth Dell, whose father was a wealthy wine merchant and from this connection in society, he received prestigious and lucrative commissions for portraits. His first major commission, a portrait of the "Regents of the Lepers' Asylum," was in 1649. Later, he studied under Bartholomeus van der Helst. As time passed, he became more popular as his paint colors were lighter than other painters, giving his subjects a greater elegance. During his career, he painted at least six self-portraits. In 1656 he was commissioned to paint portraits for the Burgomasters' Council Chamber in Amsterdam's new town hall, which became the Royal Palace. Bol's first wife died in 1660 after giving birth to his son. Along with Rembrandt, he was a member of the Guild of St. Luke, an artist organization. In the 1660s he produced a prolific amount of work to the point that many historians reasoned he had an assistant. Besides portraits, he painted nudes and religious paintings. In 1667 he was commissioned to paint the portrait of Vice-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, who defeated the British fleet in 1666. On October 10, 1669, two days after Rembrandt's burial, Bol married for the second time to Anna van Erckel, the wealthy widow of the treasurer of the Admiralty. Between his wealth and his new bride's wealth, he apparently retired from painting at that point in his life as his last dated painting was 1669. Among his last paintings was a self-portrait of him in a gold embroidery coat with a red scarf, while resting his left elbow on a small statue of a sleeping cupid. He served as a governor in a Leeper's Colony. He died shortly after his wife's death. In the 19th century, many of his paintings were in error thought to be done by Rembrandt. His most famous portrait was "Elisabeth Bas", which was commissioned by Bas' granddaughter. At least three of his paintings are located at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. His painting of the "Man in Golden Helmet" is on displayed in Warsaw, Poland, yet most of his paintings are located in museums in the Netherlands or in private collections. In 1940 his 1656 painting "King Pyrrhus" was stolen by Nazi Forces from a Jewish banker's family but was recovered in a railroad car in 1945 in Germany, returning the priceless work to the rightful owner. In the 21st century, the painting is on display at the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida after being donated. His 1642 painting, "Portrait of a Lady Wearing Pearl Jewelry," which had been in a private collection, sold at Sotheby's Auction House in January of 2023 for nearly $120,000.