Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department, where showcase *Engraved copies of Little Passion*, a remarkable series of engravings by Abraham Waberge after the designs of Albrecht Dürer Dating to an unknown period (n.d.), these small plates—measuring approximately 5 x 3 13/16 inches (12.7 x 9.7 cm) each—reproduce Dürer's iconic *Little Passion*, a of woodcuts from around 1509 narrating key moments in the Life of Christ. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, this set highlights the enduring appeal of Dürer's Northern Renaissance mastery. Dürer, a pivotal figure in German art, revolutionized printmaking with his intricate woodcuts, blending religious devotion with unprecedented detail and humanism. Waesberge, a 17th-century Dutch engraver, faithfully captured these compositions in metal engraving, a technique prized for its precision and tonal subtlety, allowing for finer lines than woodcuts. This reproductive process democratized Dürer's vision, making profound biblical scenes—featuring symbolic elements like animals, fruit, and expressive nudes—accessible to a broader audience across Europe. These prints exemplify how Renaissance innovations in printmaking fueled cultural exchange, preserving spiritual narratives amid Reformation-era fervor. A testament to artistic legacy, they invite you to ponder the passion's human drama in exquisite miniature form.

About the Artist

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

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch