The plate was not part of any of the early sales or collections and is probably not in existence.

In this portrait Rembrandt has ‘dressed up’ as an oriental magistrate, although it is unlikely that he actually wore this outfit when he etched himself. As he did in other portraits he may have worked from imagination or used examples by other artists. The sword (of the type kris) shows only one waved side, whereas it should be waved on both sides. It is also hold incorrectly, since the hook (now shown under) is meant to protect the knuckles of the hand. In other words: Rembrandt was not very accurate when painting weapons.

There is one copy in the same direction (C), by Freerk Los, signed Rembrandt f.
There are two copies in reverse. Copy A was formerly attributed to Constantijn van Renesse. It is inscribed R 1648 (131 x 109 mm, WB 2).
Copy B is signed by Costantino Cumano, inscribed Rt. inv (118 x 99 mm, WB 1)

The plate was made by a pupil according to Seidlitz.

NH, as most authors, lists two states, Hind and Münz three, Nowell-Usticke one trial proof and two states. All states are contemporary.
In the 1st state (NH, WB, R66/NU trial proof) the borderlines at right are double.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB, R67/1st state NU) the plate is slightly reduced, cutting of the double borderline at right and part of the sabre and signature.
In the 2nd state (NU, R68?) there are small retouches to the face, below the right eye, etc. A clear demarcation exists between the right cheek and the hair at left making the right cheek look much thinner and the face less round. White-Boon and NH consider this to be the result of differences in impressions and do not see a separate state.

Of the 1st state only four impressions are known, all with a watermark of the Basel crosier.

In the 1st state: Basel crosier A.a.
In the 2nd state: Arms of Württemberg A.a and B’.a (1634-1636); Foolscap with five-pointed collar A.a (1643), B.a (1645) and K.zz; Arms of Amsterdam ZZ,zz;

H 109, BB 34-A, G 23, M 105, Mz 19, RA 66-68, Cl 18, W 18, Bl 231, Du 18, CD 95
Rembrandt by himself 1999, p. 156; Hinterding 2008, p. 54-55;

New Hollstein/White-Boon: 2^nd state of II.
A good, contemporary, but probably somewhat later impression of the final state.
Sheet 134 x 114 mm, wide margins of approx. 5 mm. all around (+21%).
No watermark, horizontal chain lines at approx. 21 mm.

In the collection of Eberhard Walter Kornfeld (Lugt 913b). His collectors mark, the initials EWK in an oval, verso.

Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;
Etsen van Rembrandt, Museum Den Briel, May-September 2026;