The plate was initially part of a larger plate with various studies (B 366). It was cut up into five separate parts, which are listed as B143, B 300, B303 (this one), B 333 and B 334. None of these smaller plates was included in early auctions or collections. They are probably not in existence anymore.

According to the French and German titles Rembrandt pictured a Turkish slave in this small portrait, but there is no support for this view.

There is a copy in the same direction, possibly by James Hazard (two states, 36 x 23 mm, WB).

The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Coppier and Singer.

There are large differences in the way the various authors treat the undivided and divided plate. NH lists one state for the undivided plate, as do WB and BB. Other authors list two. The difference is that in the 1st state the outlines still stop short of the plate edges and are extended in the 2nd state. NH lists four states for this plate, most other authors list two.
The 1st state is the undivided plate (NH, WB).
In the 2nd state (NH) the plate is cut and various new vertical lines are added to the bust and extended to the lower margin. There are several other small additions.
In the 3rd state (NH) a jagged line is added to the collar under the right shoulder. The nose and chin are redrawn, all in drypoint.
In the 4th state (NH/2nd state WB) some lines are redrawn, like the right nostril. The outlines of the forehead and the nose are made continuous.
Rovinsky lists a 2nd state (R960), supposedly in the British Museum, which might be an impression of the 3rd state (NH).

The only impression of the 4th state is in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

H 41-D, BB 31-3D, G 279, M 87, Mz 31d, RA 960-961, Cl 299, W 303, Bl 293, Du 299, CD 44-C
Baas 2015, p. 138-139;