The copperplate was in the sale of Pieter de Haan (1767), lot 62 and sold to Cruys. It has not been seen since, was not part of any of the major collections and is probably not in existence.

The sitter was originally identified as Ferdinand Bol (Münz, Schmidt-Degener, Biörklund) and sometimes as a self-portrait (Nowell-Usticke). Other authors mentioned Van Vliet or Gerard Dou (De Burgy sale 1755, lot nr 245). Later research made it highly likely that it is in fact Petrus Sylvius (1610-1653), the son of Johannes Sylvius (1564-1638), preacher, friend and family of Rembrandt and Aeltje Uylenburgh, niece of Saskia. Rembrandt made two etchings of Johannes Sylvius, B266 and B 280, the latter posthumous. In 1974 Dieuwke de Hoop Scheffer discovered an impression with the name of Petrus Sylvius inscribed on the backside (prior in the collections of W.Pelletier and J.Ritman). Also, watermark research has shown that a new edition was printed just after his death in 1653. The books and the clothing point at a learned man. The portrait was probably made just after Sylvius left to the Frisian village of Sloten, where he was appointed as church minister. Sylvius studied in Leiden at the same time that Rembrandt still lived and worked there. They may already have met there and then.

Rembrandt made a painting of Aeltje Uylenburgh in 1632 (Bredius 333, private collection, on loan in the Mauritshuis). He probably also painted her husband Johannes Sylvius, but that work has been lost.

NH list nine copies of which three in the same direction. Copy A is a very deceptive one by James Bretherton, inscribed Rembrandt | f 1637 (95 x 82 mm, WB 1). Copy D is by David Deuchar (98 x 89 mm, WB 2). Copy G is by  Anthony de Man, signed N.d.M. f. 1828 (102 x 81 mm).
There are at least six copies in reverse. Copy B is by Giuseppe Sardi signed Rembrandt inv. Sardi inc 1791 (102 x 85 mm, WB 3). Copy E is by Johann Colizzi (68 x 57 mm). Copy F is by J.Orr, inscribed Rembrandt | f 1637 and Orr 1807 (101 x 86 mm). Copy H is by Richard Girling (98 x 81 mm, WB 4). Copies C and I are anonymous.

The etching is considered as special by Bartsch, Seidlitz, Coppier, De Claussin, Blanc and Wilson.
The plate was made by a pupil (Ferdinand Bol?) according to Nowell-Usticke.

NH, like most other authors, lists two states, Nowell-Usticke one trial proof and one state.
In the 1st state (R694/NU trial proof A) the middle of the left cheek is dotted and a second outline in the upper right-hand corner of the cap is visible.
In the 2nd state (R695/1st state NU) the second outline and the dots are removed.
In later impression (probably after 1653) a short scratch below the ‘R’ in the signature becomes visible. There is an odd black mark of approx. 5 mm halfway up the left margin, sloping to the right (NU).

The only impression of the 1st state (NU trial proof A) is in the Bibliothèque Nationale.
Early impressions of the 2nd state are often on thin, hard Japanese paper (NU).

In the 1st state: Single-headed eagle (c. 1636-37).
In the 2nd state: Foolscap (1635-37); Strasbourg lily (3 ed. c. 1648 and 1652).

H 151, BB 37-C, G 248, M 132, Mz 58, RA 694-695, Cl 265, W 270, Bl 258, Du 282, CD 112, S 110.
Broos and Panhuysen in Kroniek van het Rembrandthuis, 2006/1-2, p. 42-68; Broos in Kroniek van het Rembrandthuis, 2008, p.14-35; Hinterding 2008, p.471-472; Jenny Reynaerts in Kunstschrift 4/2011, p. 36; Saskia Uylenburgh, p. 18; Broos 2012, p. 84-85;

NH/WB: 2nd and final state
A good impression with burr at the top of the hair. The short scratch under the R of the signature is very vaguely visible, so the impression may be dated to 1653, just after the death of Sylvius. Small crease, due to hanging, in the top right corner.
Sheet 101 x 88/86 mm, margins of 2 mm all around (+8%).
No watermark, horizontal chain lines at approx. 28 mm.

Rembrandt in Zwart-Wit, Westfries Museum -Hoorn, Het Markiezenhof – Bergen op Zoom, Stedelijk Museum Zutphen, Het Hannemahuis – Harlingen, March 2013 – June 2014;
Rembrandt, 17th century photographer, Daegu Art Museum (Korea), November 2023 – March 2024;
Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;