Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Engraved copies of The Little Passion by Albrecht Dürer represents one of the most influential cycles of religious prints produced during the early modern period. Although the original series was executed in woodcut and engraving formats by Dürer in the early 16th century, these subsequent engraved copies, dating from 1485 to 1699, illustrate the enduring demand for and widespread replication of the master's powerful designs. As an engraving, the production of each piece relied on the precise cutting of lines into a metal plate, a highly skilled technique that Dürer elevated to an unparalleled art form, setting standards for clarity and detail that subsequent copyists strove to emulate.

The cycle details the dramatic events surrounding the suffering and death of Christ. While focusing primarily on the core narrative of the Passion, the compositions also intricately incorporate other key religious figures, including the Virgin Mary and various Saints, demonstrating the devotional richness intended for the original viewers. Dürer’s mastery of Renaissance form, combined with the intensity of German Gothic storytelling, made these images highly sought after across Europe. The continued production of these prints over two centuries confirms their status as central objects for pious meditation and artistic inspiration throughout the period.

The presence of these important religious prints, including various stages and editions of the cycle, within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art underscores the historical importance of The Little Passion as foundational works of Renaissance printmaking. The enduring quality of these meticulously crafted prints, many of which are now considered to be in the public domain due to their age, ensures that Dürer’s revolutionary vision remains accessible for study and appreciation worldwide.