Engraved copies of The Little Passion

The set known as Engraved copies of The Little Passion by Albrecht Dürer represents a significant printmaking project originating in the Northern Renaissance, though this specific group of prints spans the period 1485-1699, indicating subsequent reproduction, study, and lasting influence across two centuries. As a master engraver, Dürer refined the technical possibilities of the copperplate, utilizing sharp tools to achieve unprecedented detail and tonal complexity in the resulting prints. This precise technique allowed for wide distribution across Europe and led directly to the creation of numerous authorized and unauthorized copies, which explains the extended production timeline of this collection.

Dürer’s original series detailed the chronological narrative of Christ’s suffering, but like many of the master’s compositions, these engravings are replete with complex iconography and subtle humanistic references. Close inspection reveals intricate details, including depictions of various symbolic Animals integrated into the foregrounds or backgrounds, and decorative elements such as carefully rendered Fruit. Furthermore, Dürer’s foundational study of human anatomy, strongly influenced by his travels in Italy, is evident in the inclusion of fully realized Male Nudes and Female Nudes used both allegorically and within scenes such as the Expulsion from Eden, which frequently preface Passion cycles.

These engravings served as fundamental models for other artists throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, cementing Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent Northern Renaissance printmaker. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this important collection, showcasing the enduring power of Dürer’s artistic vision and his dominance in the history of graphic arts. Because of the age and provenance of these specific prints, many similar copies and variations are now considered to be in the public domain, ensuring their continued accessibility for scholarly study centuries after their initial creation.