Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department lies *Engraved Copies of The Little Passion*, a series of engravings attributed to publisher Abraham Waesberge after the renowned German artist Albrecht Dürer. Created around the early 17th century (date not specified), these small plates—measuring approximately 5 x 3 13/16 inches (12.7 x 9.7 cm) each—replicate Dürer's iconic *Little Passion* series from 1509, a compact set of 36 woodcuts narrating the Life and Passion of Christ. Waesberge's faithful copies highlight Dürer's enduring popularity during the Northern Renaissance, when his works were widely disseminated to inspire devotion among the faithful. Dürer's originals masterfully blend intricate line work with profound emotional depth, capturing pivotal biblical scenes featuring the Virgin Mary, angels, and symbolic birds—evident in tags associated with this series. As engravings, these reproductions employ a burin technique for fine, precise lines on metal plates, allowing for tonal subtlety and mass production via printing presses. This medium shift from Dürer's woodcuts underscores the era's evolving printmaking innovations, making sacred narratives accessible to broader audiences. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, these prints exemplify how Dürer's Northern Renaissance style—marked by hyper-detailed naturalism and spiritual intensity—continued to shape religious art and popular piety centuries later, bridging art and faith for museum visitors today.

About the Artist

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

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch