Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

In the Prints collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,Engraved Copies of Little Passion* represents a fascinating 17th-century homage to one of Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer's most beloved works. Published by Dutch printer Abraham Waesbergeactive mid-1600s), this series of engravings faithfully reproduces Dürer's original 1509 *Little Passion*—a compact set of 37 wood narrating key moments in the Life of Christ, with a poignant focus on his suffering and Passion. The small plate size (circa 5 x 3 13/16 inches) made these prints ideal for personal devotion, allowing believers to own affordable, portable art for prayer and reflection. Dürer's Northern Renaissance style shines through in the precise, expressive lines adapted into engraving, a technique that offered Waesberge finer control over intricate details than woodcutting. Vivid scenes burst with drama: Jesus amid soldiers and men, accompanied by animals in moments like the Entry into Jerusalem or the Road to Calvary. These copies underscore engraving's role in democratizing art, spreading Dürer's innovative narrative clarity and emotional depth across Europe during the Baroque era. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, this series highlights how reproductive prints preserved and popularized religious iconography, bridging Renaissance mastery with everyday spirituality for generations of viewers.

About the Artist

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

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch