Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

In the Prints collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, *Engraved Copies of The Little Passion* represent a fascinating tribute to one of Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer's most beloved works. Created by Dutch engraver Abraham Waesberge (active mid-17th century), series reproduces Dürer's original 1509 woodcut cycle, *The Little Passion*, which narrates key scenes from Christ's life and suffering through 37 intimate vignettes. Tagged with motifs of Christ and male figures, these engravings capture the solemn drama of biblical events, from the Agony in the Garden to the Resurrection, in a compact format ideal for personal devotion. Dürer's originals, renowned for their intricate line work and emotional depth, epitomized Northern Renaissance printmaking, blending German precision with Italian humanism. Waesberge's engraved versions translate this into copperplate engraving—a technique prized for its delicate tonal gradations and finer details than woodcuts—making Dürer's art accessible to a broader 17th-century audience amid the Dutch Golden Age's print boom. Produced undated (n.d.), the plates measure about 5 x 3 13/16 inches (12.7 x 9.7 cm) each, perfect for affordable devotional books or wall hangs. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, these copies highlight prints' role in disseminating religious imagery across Europe, preserving Dürer's legacy while showcasing engraving's technical virtuosity. A testament to art's enduring reproducibility, they invite visitors to ponder faith's visual power in miniature form.

About the Artist

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

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch