The copperplate was in the collection of Clement de Jonghe (1679, as 40 dry coning star). It later appeared in the sale of Pieter de Haan (1767, lot 37) and was sold via Fouquet to Claude-Henri Watelet. It then became part of the set of plates subsequently owned and used for printing Recueils by Pierre-François Basan, Henri-Louis Basan (his nr 1407), Auguste Jean (ca 1809), Veuve Jean, Auguste and Michel Bernard (1846), Alvin-Beaumont (1906) and Robert Lee Humber (1937). It was sold at the Artemis sale in London (1993) and is now in Vassar College in Poughkeepsie (NY).

(Mattheus 2, verses 1-3)
This etching shows the moment the Kings arrive at the stable of the new-born Christ. It shows the five-pointed star that was traditionally used in processions at the feast of Epiphany on the 6th of January. Children used to go door-by-door that evening to collect small presents or candy in return for a song. During the singing the star was rotated using a cord. Because of the darkness it is difficult to see the group carrying the star. In the background at left a second star (with group) can be seen twinkling.

Rembrandt made a drawing of the feast of January 6 (Driekoningen) around 1641/42 (Benesch 736, in the British Museum in London).

Hind raises some doubts about the authenticity (it may be a copy after a lost work) based on the ‘lack of continuity and cohesion’ in the line of the signature. He also points at an engraving by Jan van de Velde about the same subject.

The New Hollstein lists four states, only the first by Rembrandt. Most other authors list one state only, Münz and Biörklund two, Nowell-Usticke seven. From his 3rd state there are later impressions by P.Basan, Basan, Jean, Bernard and Beaumont.
In the 1^st state (NH, WB final, R340) the face of the woman in the centre is shaded with very fine drypoint lines.
In the 2^nd state (NH, R341) five or six horizontal lines cross the face of the woman in the centre°. NH states it could be the work of Watelet.
In the 3^rd state (NH, NU) the plate is heavily reworked, especially in the foreground. Cross-hatching is added to the cap and the right shoulder of the person holding the star°.
In the 4^th state (NU) is badly worn, probably by Jean. The window 1 cm to the left of the central post is rebitten.
In the 5^th state (NU) the plate is again reworked. Heavy right-to-left lines are added over the window. Very little of the original work is left.
In the 6^th state (NU) the plate is almost entirely covered by cross-hatching. The two windows to the left of the central post are plain again.
In the 7^th state (NU) the plate is very heavily printed and probably completely reworked.

There are impressions on Japanese paper in the British Museum and the Rothschild Collection and counterproofs in the British Museum, the Bibliothèque Nationale and the Albertina. Impressions of the 2nd state are probably by Watelet.
The etching appears in the Recueil de Basan, impressions quite strong (NU).

Recueil de H.L. Basan – Page 17               NH: 2^nd state of IV/WB: only state.
A good impression, showing many details. The cross-hatching on the cap of the person holding the star is not visible, indicating a 2^nd state (NH).

Recueil de A. Beaumont –  Sheet 38        NH: 4^th and final state/WB: only state.
A very dark impression, almost all details are gone.

In the 1st state: Foolscap with five- and seven-pointed collar (5 ed.); Seven Provinces; Strasbourg lily; Countermarks LAK and NB;
In the 2nd state: Countermarks AG and DG and miscellaneous later ones.

H 254, BB 51-I, G 112, M 293, Mz 278, RA 340-341, Cl 115, W 117, Bl 85, Du 114, CD 218, S 59.
Hinterding 2008, p. 240-241;

Nw Hollstein: 1st state of IV/White-Boon: only state
An early impression, the horizontal lines in the face of the woman in the centre are not yet visible, confirming a 1st state.
Sheet 94/95 x 145/147 mm, thread margins of 1 to 2 mm (+2%).
Watermark: Foolscap with a five-pointed collar (NH K.a). Horizontal chain lines at approx. 25 mm.

Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;