The copperplate was not in any of the major collections and is probably not in existence.

The scenery of this etching has a clear Italian atmosphere. In the middle of the picture two concentric circles are visible, clearly made with a compass. There is much debate if Rembrandt made these circles on purpose in order to create perspective. E.Mitsch considers these similar to the network of lines in The descent from the Cross (B 82) and to a drawing (Benesch 635). But the circles could also be the result of earlier use of the same plate, as Seidlitz suggested. Hinterding points at the plate of the Return of the prodigal son (B 91) which has a geometric diagram from a Spanish book on the backside. It is known that Adriaan van Ostade also used at least four plates of the same book. The plate of this etching may well come from the same collection.

There is similarity to The sleeping herdsman (B 189) which was probably made in the same year, but also to the scenes of the rest Joseph and Mary took on their flight to Egypt of which Rembrandt made three etching (B 56 to 58). In relation to this, Hinterding points at the similarity to an engraving by Albrecht Altdorfer, The rest on the flight into Egypt (Hollstein 5).

There is one copy in reverse by John Smith of Chichester, signed in reverse Rembrandt f 1644 (96 x 69 mm, WB 1).

The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Singer.

All authors list one state only.

Strasbourg lily.

H 206, BB 44-A, G 212, M 310, Mz 268, RA 596, Cl 217, W 217, Bl 321, Du 217, CD 164, S 97.
Hinterding 2008, p. 405-408;

NH/WB: Only state
A very fine impression on laid paper.
Sheet: 97 x 69 m, thread margins of approx. 1 mm. all around (+ 5%).
No watermark, vertical chain lines at approx. 22 mm.

In the collection of Adam Gottlieb Thiermann, (d 1859, Berlin. L2434). In 1861 sold ‘en bloc’ by his widow to the Staatlichen Museen Berlin (L 1606).
Acquired from the museum, their doublette stamp verso (L5615) and with Amsler & Ruthardt, Berlin 25-29 May 1914, lot 2104 (‘Ausgezeichneter Abdruck’).
Then with Paul Prouté, Paris (L2103c).
In the collection of August Laube, (Zurich), their stocknumber 32043 verso.
Acquired from the above by Samuel Josefowitz (Lausanne, L6094) in 1970.