Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Engraved copies of The Little Passion by Albrecht Dürer represents one of the most significant devotional print series produced in the Northern Renaissance. While the production period cited spans 1485-1699, the core designs for this ambitious cycle were created by Dürer around 1508-1512. Executed in the highly refined medium of engraving, this classification of art allowed for exceptional linearity and detail, enabling Dürer to convey intense emotional depth and narrative complexity within small, intimate formats.

The series chronicles the final, suffering period of Christ’s life, utilizing dramatic compositions to emphasize themes of sacrifice and human vulnerability. The prints depict Jesus in key scenes leading up to and including the Crucifixion, while the supporting cast of men and women who participate in or witness the events are rendered with characteristic expressive skill. Dürer’s innovation in printmaking cemented his status as the preeminent master of the medium, successfully elevating prints from mere reproductive tools to independent, high-status works of art.

The widespread dissemination of this work was crucial to Dürer’s international fame and profoundly influenced devotional practices throughout Europe, making these crucial images of religious contemplation accessible to a broader public. This comprehensive collection of prints is held within the esteemed archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a vital record of Renaissance graphic arts and the enduring power of Dürer’s masterful technique.