The Ascension, from "The Little Passion"

The Ascension, from "The Little Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, dating from 1510, is a masterful woodcut print that epitomizes the technical and narrative skill of the great German Renaissance artist. This piece belongs to "The Little Passion," a comprehensive series of thirty-six biblical illustrations intended for widespread devotional use, published during a period of intense artistic and religious fervor in Northern Europe. The series cemented Dürer’s reputation as the foremost graphic artist of his generation, demonstrating his ability to apply the refined detail of copperplate engraving to the more challenging relief medium of the woodcut.

The composition depicts the poignant moment of Christ's departure, a key episode immediately following the Resurrection. The scene is dominated by the gathered disciples, the men who form the earthly congregation witnessing the miracle as Christ is drawn up into the clouds, leaving only his footprints visible on the rock of Mount Olivet. Dürer’s innovative technique overcomes the usual limitations of the woodcut medium by utilizing complex cross-hatching and subtle variations in line weight. This precision creates dramatic tonal shifts and sculptural volume, providing remarkable depth and three-dimensionality rarely achieved in prints of this era.

Created during a time when the market for reproducible religious imagery was rapidly expanding, this design and the rest of "The Little Passion" series became highly influential across Europe. The work's narrative clarity and detailed execution served as a model for succeeding printmakers for decades. A fine impression of The Ascension is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it stands as a canonical example of Dürer’s profound contributions to early sixteenth-century German prints, much of which is now considered part of the artistic public domain.