The copperplate may have been part of the sale by Clement de Jonghe (1679) as 23 Raetsheer van sijn majestijt in Poolen (Polish ambassador). It then was in the sale by Pieter de Haan (1767, lot 58) and sold to J. Sluijter for Fl 2,00. Later it was in the possession of John M’Creery (in the 200 Etchings, 1816) and reprinted by W. Lewis in 1819 and 1822 and by J. Kay in 1826. Since then the plate has not been seen and is probably not anymore in existence.

There were two so far unidentified items in the inventory of De Jonghe (1679) which may refer to this etching, namely nr 45 Smyters and nr 23 Raetsheer van sijn majestijt in Poolen. Based on the titles it has been suggested that the sitter is Antonie Smijters, then the Dutch Ambassador in Poland or Nicolaes de Bye, a trader. But, instead of picturing a particular person, this portrait may in fact be a ‘tronie’, as the man is dressed in 16th century clothing, clearly out-of-fashion at the time Rembrandt made the etching. Also, the same man appears in The card player (B136 – NH193), and maybe even in Man drawing from a cast (B130/NH192). All three were made in the same year, which is another indication that the sitter is indeed a model.

The etching is considered as special by Coppier and Wilson.

NH list five states, only the first two by Rembrandt. The 3rd state is new. Most other authors list three states, White-Boon four, Nowell-Usticke one trial proof and three states, all contemporary.
The 1st state (NH, WB, R667/NU trial proof A) is before the white collar.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB, R668/1st state NU) a white collar is burnished and drawn in. Shading is added at the right hand side, darkening the shadow cast by the figure.
In the 3rd state (NH) the contours of the book, especially the lines in the margin, are partially burnished away.
In the 4th state (NH/3rd state WB, R669/2nd state NU) the outlines of the face and hair are strengthened. Much additional shading is added to the shadow cast by the figure on the background. The guiding lines below the sleeve are burnished away.
In the 5th state (NH/4th state WB, R670/3rd state NU) the irregular white spaces along the top and right margins are filled in with cross-hatching.

Of the 4th state (WB 3rd state) there is a worn late impression on Japanese paper and a counterproof, both in the Albertina.

In the 1st and 2nd state: Basilisk A’.a (c. 1640-47);
In the 2nd state: Strasbourg lily E’.a with cm WK’ A.a (c. 1652);
In the 2nd and 4th state: Strasbourg lily ZZ.zz;

H 189, BB 41-L, G 241, M 189, Mz 61, RA 667-670, Cl 258, W 263, Bl 257, Du 277, CD 135
J.F.M.Sterck in “Oud Holland, 1909” (xxvii), p. 98;

NH: 2nd state of V/WB: 2nd state of IV
A strong , well inked impression on laid paper.
Sheet 150 x 100/102 mm, no margins, trimmed at or slightly within the platemark (-4%).
No watermark, horizontal chain lines at approx. 23 mm.

Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;