Bentvueghels in a Roman Tavern
by LAER, Pieter van, Pen in brown wash over a drawing in black chalk, 203 x 258 mm
In 1623, Dutch painters living in Rome (Pieter van Laer, Cornelis van Poelenburgh, Bartholomeus Breenbergh and others) formed a sort of brotherhood, the members of which were known as Bentvueghels (literally: bids of the flock). Every newcomer from the north could join the club, but first had to undergo a farcical induction ritual. The Bentvueghels took great pride in their parties as shown by the large number of drawings and even paintings made of them.