Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

Visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department encounter *Engraved copies of Little Passion*, a remarkable series of engravings by Abraham Waberge after the designs of Albrecht Dürer This work reproduces Dürer's iconic early 16th-century woodcut series *The Little Passion* (c. 1509), which narrates key moments in Christ's Passion, including poignant scenes like Christ washing the Apostles' feet. Each small plate measures approximately 5 x 13/16 inches (12.7 x 9.7 cm), making the set intimate and portable—ideal for personal devotion during the Northern Renaissance. Waesberge, a 17th-century Dutch engraver, faithfully captured Dürer's intricate compositions using the burin technique of engraving, which allowed for sharper, more delicate lines than Dürer's original woodcuts. This medium shift highlights the enduring popularity of Dürer's work, as reproductive prints like these disseminated his masterful storytelling to wider audiences across Europe. Dürer's style, blending meticulous detail with emotional depth, exemplifies German Renaissance printmaking's influence on religious art. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, these engravings offer a window into how artistic legacies were preserved and adapted. They remind us of prints' role in fostering piety and cultural exchange, inviting reflection on themes of humility and sacrifice central to Christian iconography.

About the Artist

Abraham Waesberge|Albrecht Dürer (German|Dutch) · 1471 | –1528 |

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch