The copperplate was not part of any of the major, early collections and is almost certainly not anymore in existence.

There is little doubt which act is pictured in this etching. It is not an exception in the work of Rembrandt to show these facts of life, as can be seen in other prints in this category. Only in later years people were ‘protected’ against these ‘vulgar’ images. As in Berlin in 1906 when this and five other prints were excluded from an exhibition of all etchings by Rembrandt, although a copy could be mail-ordered for 20 cents. Surprisingly, the woman has three arms. One can only guess if Rembrandt simply made a mistake or if he tried to make a statement of some sort. It seems that, contrary to what some experts claimed, the print is not showing a rape, as the woman is enjoying herself, given the broad smile on her face.

There is a copy in the same direction by Dominique Denon, numbered 178 in the lower margin which is included in the Recueil of H.L. Basan  (130 x 226 mm, WB)

In the 19th century many authors rejected the authenticity of this and other sexually oriented prints simply on the assumption that Rembrandt would not be involved in such obscene sceneries.

NH lists four states. The other authors differ greatly in the number of states. White-Boon mentions five, Hind and Münz only three, Biörklund four and Nowell-Usticke one trial proof and three states, all contemporary.
The 1st state (NH, WB/NU trial proof A) has a blank margin of 25 mm on the topside.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB/NU 1st state) the blank margin is removed, the signature is added.
In the 3rd state (NH, WB) the lines on the sleeve of the right arm are burnished out and redrawn.
In the 4th state (NH, WB, R521/NU 2nd state) there is diagonal shading on the tablecloth.
The 5th state described by WB and others (NU 3rd state) is in fact a cut version of the 4th state (125 x 176 mm), cutting of the door and signature.

Of the 1st state (NU trial proof A) only one impression is known. It was sold at the Verstolk sale.
Of the 2nd state also only one impression is known, in the Rijksmuseum.
Of the 3rd state there are impressions in the Rijksmuseum, the Albertina and in the Collection De Bruijn (Lausanne) and counterproofs in the Rijksmuseum and in the Josefowitz collection (sold Christie’s dec 2023, hammerprice £ 150.000).
Of the 4th state there are impressions on Oriental paper.

In the 4th state: Foolscap with five-pointed collar and countermark LB (c. 1650) and Strasbourg lily with countermark WK (c. 1652).

H 223, BB 46-D, G 178, M 283, Mz 269, RA 521, Cl 183, W 183, Bl 151, Du 183, CD 181, S 73-74.
Rembrandt’s Women 2001, p. 194; Rembrandt’s nose 2007, p. 122; C.Driessen, Rembrandt’s vrouwen, 2012 p. 178;