Christ in Emmaus, from "The Small Passion" (copy)

Christ in Emmaus, from "The Small Passion" (copy) by Albrecht Dürer is a significant woodcut print produced sometime between 1485 and 1600. Though cataloged as a copy, this piece belongs to one of the most famous cycles of religious prints, The Small Passion, reflecting the immense influence and widespread distribution of Dürer’s original designs during the late 15th and 16th centuries. As a master of the woodcut medium, Dürer elevated printmaking from a craft to an art form, utilizing precise cutting and intricate line work to achieve a level of detail previously associated only with engravings.

The work captures the pivotal narrative from the Gospel of Luke where the resurrected Christ appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The scene is centered around the figure of Christ and the two men, who initially fail to recognize their companion. Even in this copy, the composition maintains the dramatic intensity and meticulous rendering of figures characteristic of the German Renaissance master’s style. The piece focuses keenly on the theological moment of revelation, employing subtle gestures and detailed environments to heighten the narrative impact.

The enduring appeal of this subject matter, combined with the relative accessibility of woodcut prints, ensured that images from the series were widely circulated, making the compositions seminal references for religious art across Europe. This particular example is part of the distinguished prints collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The influence of Dürer’s approach to religious imagery and the widespread availability of his graphic works solidified his status as a key figure in art history. Today, many of the great prints created by Dürer are considered part of the public domain, allowing for their continued study and appreciation.