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

The picture shows a, so far unidentified, man leaning on a balustrade, pointing his right arm to what seems to be a row of books in the background. According to Fritz Saxl (1910) the pose of the sitter resembles the pose in Rembrandt leaning on a stone sill (B 21), which is clearly influenced by Castiglione. This supports the idea that it could be a self-portrait, as suggested by Nowell-Usticke. But his suggestion is not followed by other authors.

Hinterding points at similarities in style with the work of Ferdinand Bol, specifically the etchings Hollstein 5 to 14. Bol started to work in 1642 and made several pictures of bearded men and books in the background.

NH lists four copies of which one in the same direction. Copy C is by David Deuchar, published in his album (c. 1861, 77 x 69 mm, WB).
There are three copies in reverse. Copy A is by Honoré Coussin, inscribed Rembran | h.c.f. (two states, 107 x 87 mm). Copy B is anonymous (73 x 61 mm). Copy D is by an anonymous English artist in the 18^th century, inscribed Rembrandt f 1643 (135 x 161 mm).

The etching is considered as special by Coppier.

All authors list one state only. Early impressions are sharp and clear, later ones are still quite good.

H 194, BB 42-A, G 237, M 152, Mz 65, RA 660, Cl 254, W 258, Bl 262, Du 273, CD 159
Saxl 1910, p. 42; Hinterding 2008, p. 450-452;

NH/ WB: only state.
A strong impression with very pale staining along the upper plate mark.
Sheet 73/72 x 58 mm, margins of 1 mm left and right, 2 mm at the top and none at the bottom (+5%).
No watermark. Vertical chain lines at 25 mm,

In the collection of Paul Davidsohn (Danzig 1839 – 1924 Berlin (?), Lugt 654), his collector’s mark verso.
Probably in the sale of his collection with C.G.Boerner in Leipzig in April 1920.

Rembrandt in Zwart-Wit, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), Het Markiezenhof (Bergen op Zoom), Stedelijk Museum Zutphen, Het Hannemahuis – Harlingen, Jan ten Horne Museum – Weert, Stadsmuseum Harderwijk, March 2013-August 2015;
Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;