The exact subject of the painting has long been unclear, although numerous ideas have been put forward, including that the depicted figure is a soldier, a nobleman or Saint Maurice.

[2] An African Man, a portrait by Albrecht Dürer in the Albertina in Vienna, might be earlier, with a possible date of 1508,[3] but it is a charcoal drawing.

The Rijksmuseum, who own the painting, have said that it might be Christophle le More (Christopher the Moor), a black archer recorded at the court of the Habsburg emperor Charles V.[2] This theory could be supported by the badge of the Virgin on his cap, which would be a souvenir from a pilgrimage to Halle.

She also adds that the sword is especially an attribute of Saint Maurice and that the pilgrim badge of Mary on his red beret makes him a Catholic.

[citation needed] The painting was bought from art dealer Robert Noortman by the Rijksmuseum in June 2005 with financial support of, amongst others, the Rembrandt Foundation.

[12] After the purchase, the painting was exhibited in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen for some years due to renovations to the Rijksmuseum.