It is part of a series of ten engravings (Holstein 73-82), from subjects by Rembrandt and known by the title The Beggars. Jan van Vliet, a Dutch engraver and draughtsman, built his fame through his collaboration with Rembrandt, which began around 1629 in Leiden and continued for several years, until 1631, when the master moved to Amsterdam. He collaborated with Rembrandt on paintings and engravings, sometimes reproducing some of his etchings. The works executed on his subjects date from the same period as their collaboration, as evidenced by the dates and signatures. Some, in theme and style, are clearly inspired by Rembrandt—such as the series The Beggars (1632), which takes up a subject engraved by the master around 1630.