Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Engraved copies of The Little Passion by Albrecht Dürer represent the enduring influence of one of the foundational print cycles of the Northern Renaissance. Dated broadly between 1485 and 1699, these engravings reflect the profound and immediate popularity of Dürer’s original series, which established him as a master printmaker across Europe. While Dürer produced two major series titled the Little Passion (one in woodcut and one in engraving), this collection exemplifies the fine line work and narrative power achievable through the copperplate medium.

Dürer employed the rigorous technique of engraving to achieve subtle tonal gradations and textural detail, enhancing the dramatic effect of the Passion narrative. The series meticulously chronicles the final days of Christ, providing intimate and powerful depictions of his suffering and sacrifice. These prints focus intently on the physical and spiritual ordeal, emphasizing the interactions between Christ and the various men central to the story, from the judgment scenes to the final ascent to Calvary. The small scale of the prints made them highly suitable for private devotion, facilitating their widespread distribution among a public eager for reproducible religious imagery.

The massive success of Dürer’s initial design ensured that his compositions were frequently copied and reproduced throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, cementing his position as the most influential German artist of his time. The sheer quantity and quality of these prints underscore how pivotal the series was in circulating complex iconography across geographical borders. This significant group of engravings is preserved in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, maintaining a critical record of works essential to the history of European printmaking.