The copperplate was not part of any of the major, early collections, but it has survived. It may well have been part of the collection of Von Uffenbach in the 18th century. It is now in the collection of the university of Göttingen (Sweden). In 1993 a limited edition of 100 prints was drawn from the plate.

With B 287 and B 288 this etching is part of a series of copies (in reverse) after etchings by Jan Lievens (1607-1674), in this case B 21, Holl. 36 made in 1631. It is one of the few etchings in which the light comes from the left side.

Hind thinks that the sitter may well be Rembrandt’s father, Wilson suggested Jacob Cats.

NH lists four copies, of which two in the same direction. Copy A is by Jerome David, inscribed F.L.D. Ciartes excudit Cum (225 x 190 mm). Copy D is attributed to Dominique Vivant Denon (132 x 100 mm).
There are two copies in reverse. Copy B is anonymous (97 x 69 mm, WB). Copy C is by Isabella Musgrave, signed Isa Carlisle (161 x 137 mm).

Authors like Hind, Dutuit and Singer, assume that this plate is made by a pupil, with later retouches by Rembrandt. Suggestions vary from Ferdinand Bol (by Münz) to Jan Lievens (by Seymour Haden) and Salomon Koninck (by von Seidlitz), This is based on the addition geretuc to the signature.A similar qualification was found in various paintings in the list of Rembrandt’s possessions in 1656. It is more likely that he made the picture after the Lievens etchings.
The etching is not made by Rembrandt according to Campbell Dodgson.

NH lists five states, only the first two by Rembrandt. The three later states are all ‘new’. Most other authors list three states, Hind and Rovinsky two, Nowell-Usticke one trial print and one state.
In the 1st state (NH, WB, R776/trial proof a NU) the neck is almost unshaded.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB, R777/1st state NU) the neck is now shaded. The corners are rounded. In later impressions a diagonal scratch appears near the right hand eye running to the underside of the nose.
In the 3rd state (NH) a mountain landscape is added in the right background, almost certainly posthumous.
In the 4th state (NH) shrubbery is added to the landscape.
In the 5th state (NH) the landscape is burnished away, a small nail hole is visible just above the signature.
In the 3rd state (WB, BB, not in NHD) a signature of the publisher, F. van Wyngaerde, is added with the number 5.

Of the 1st state only one impression is known, in the British Museum (R776). There are counterproofs of the 2nd state in the Rijksmuseum, in Brussels and in the British Museum.
Of the 2nd state at least seven edition were printed, of which five contemporary. They date 1635, 1637, 1638, 1646-48, 1651 and two later ones.
Of the 3rd and 4th state of NHD only one impression each is known, resp. in the Szépmüvészéti Museum (Budapest) and in the Pierpont Morgan Library (New York).
The impression of the 3rd state (WB/BB) was identified by Biörklund, but has not been seen since.

In the 1st state: Cross in a circle (1635).
In the 2nd state, ten editions: Double-headed eagle (1637); Arms of Baden-Hochberg (1638); Strasbourg lily (5 ed. 1635 and 1646-48), Foolscap with five-pointed collar (2 ed. one 1651-52); Arms of Amsterdam with cm IFD’.

H 131, BB 35-E, G 226, M 122, Mz 51, RA 776-777, Cl 283, W 288, Bl 173, Du 283, CD 265
de Groot in Bredius Bundel, 1915; R. van Straten, p. 180-184; Hinterding 2006, II p. 323; Hinterding 2008, p. 523-526; Rembrandts Radierungen 2011, p. 58-59; Dat kan beter! 2013, p. 22-23; Baas 2015, p. 120-121;

NH: 2nd state of V/ WB: 2nd state of III
A good and probably very early impression. The neck is shaded, confirming a 2nd state.
Sheet: 148 x 126 mm, cut on the platemark or slightly inside (-1%).
Watermark: Part of the Strasbourg lily with the letters WR (Ash/Fletcher 36a, Hinterding variant G?), which indicates a dating of 1635. Horizontal chain lines.

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