Pieter Mulier the Younger was the son of the Haarlem marine painter of the same name. He began his training in his father's workshop and at the age of seventeen, he went to Antwerp, where he specialised in the portrayal of animals. Shortly afterwards Mulier moved to Italy, where he acquired his nickname "Il Cavalier Tempesta". Between 1656 and 1670, he lived in Rome, and thereafter worked in Venice and the Veneto. He was accused of murdering his wife and spent eight years in prison in Genoa. His time in prison was extremely productive, as his commissioners continued to order paintings from him. During his lifetime, Mulier was a very successful painter who led an extravagant lifestyle. His large-format works - mostly landscapes with numerous animals - can still be found today in many Italian museums and collections.