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

This striking little portrait of a woman sleeping over her book seems to be another model than the woman Rembrandt used in many other etchings, generally assumed to be his mother.

Until late in the 18th century the person seen here was identified as a man, as the title in the De Burgy catalogue (1755) stated Het Slaapend Mannetje op een Boek, met de Bril (The sleeping man with book and spectacles). Adam von Bartsch finally, in 1797, placed this print in the correct category as a sleeping woman.

Hind considers this work to be technically related to B 313.

NH lists no less than eight copies, of which five in the same direction.
Copy B is by James Bretherton (67 x 52, NHD b, WB 1) in which the scratch over the right arm is badly copied.
Copy C is by Francis Vivares (79 x 61 mm, WB 2).
Copy E is anonymous (67 x 51 mm) and included in the collection ‘Rembrandt in Black & White’, nr 364.
Copy F is also anonymous (70 x 51 mm). Copy H is a woodcut by Antoine Alphée Piaud, included in the catalogue of Blanc, (p. 207, 63 x 49 mm, WB 3).
There are three copies in reverse.
Copy A is anonymous (68 x 55 mm). Copy D is signed by Francesco Novelli and inscribed Rembrandt (his nr 13, two states, 67 x 51 mm, WB 4). Copy G is by Andrew Geddes (79 x 61 mm, WB 5).

The etching is considered as special by Bartsch, Seidlitz, Rovinsky, De Claussin, Wilson and Blanc.
According to Coppier and Münz this etching is by Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680), pointing at the resemblance with one of his etchings (B365).
Van Straten attributes the print to Jan Lievens (1607-1674)

All authors list one state only. Early impressions are strong, but delicate, with light burr on the left sleeve.

H 129, BB 37-1, G 303, M 116, Mz 328, RA 919, Cl 340, W 345, Bl 244, Du 338, CD 103, S 136.

NHD/WB: Only state.
A very good, early impression with traces of burr on the left sleeve, typical for early impressions.
Sheet 71 x 54-55 mm, margins of approx. 1 mm all around (+9%).
No watermark, vertical chain lines.

In the collection of the Fürsten zu Oettingen-Wallerstein (c 1774-c 1780, Maihingen – Harburg, Lugt 2715a), their collector’s mark in black ink verso;
Probably in one of the sales with C.G.Boerner (Leipzig) in May 1935 and June 1937.
In the collection of art dealer Richard H. Zinser (Stuttgart 1884 – 1984 Forest Hills – New York, Lugt 5581), his collectors mark (a chesstower) in black ink verso.

Rembrandt in Zwart-Wit, Het Hannemahuis (Harlingen), Museum Gouda, March – September 2014; Stedelijk Museum Vianen, October 2017 – January 2018;
Rembrandt in Black & White, Bozar Expo (Brussels), February – May 2016;
Rembrandt, 17th century photographer, Daegu Art Museum (Korea), November 2023 – March 2024;
Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;