The Last Supper, from The Small Passion (copy)

The Last Supper, from The Small Passion (copy) by Albrecht Dürer is a masterful engraving classified as a print, residing in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This composition captures the central narrative moment where Jesus is gathered with his Apostles for the pivotal Last Supper scene. The work’s specific production date, spanning 1485-1917, indicates that this impression is a later copy, executed to replicate Dürer’s famous original woodcut series, The Small Passion, created around 1510-1511.

The German Renaissance artist Dürer was instrumental in elevating printmaking as a fine art medium. His precise technique in engraving allowed for intricate detailing and dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristics maintained even in later copies of his work. The composition focuses intensely on the emotional reactions of the Apostles as Christ announces the imminent betrayal, emphasizing the human drama inherent in the biblical text.

As part of The Met’s substantial holding of historical prints, this engraving offers critical insight into the widespread dissemination of Dürer’s designs throughout Europe. The continuous copying of his work underscores the foundational role Dürer played in religious iconography and graphic arts education. Because the intellectual property of the original design is considered public domain, high-quality images and reproductions of this foundational biblical scene remain widely accessible for scholars and art enthusiasts globally. This piece exemplifies the lasting influence of Dürer’s masterful compositions across centuries of print production.