Engraved copies of The Little Passion

Art Historical Context

In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department the *Engraved copies of The Little Passion* showcases the enduring legacy of Albrecht Dürer, the German Renaissance artist renowned for his intricate woodcuts and engravings. Created as a series by 17th-century Dutch engr Abraham Waesberge, these are faithful reproductions of Dürer's original *Little Passion* (c. 1509), a poignant cycle of 37 small woodcuts narrating the Passion of Christ—from the Entry into Jerusalem to the Last Judgment. Waesberge's undated engravings, each measuring about 5 x 3 13/16 inches (12.7 x 9.7 cm), capture Dürer's narrative clarity and emotional depth, making sacred stories accessible to a wider audience. Engraving, the medium here, differs from Dürer's woodcuts by using a burin to incise fine lines directly into copper plates, allowing for subtler tonal gradations and exquisite detail. This technique reflects the Northern Renaissance emphasis on technical precision and devotional art, popular among Protestant and Catholic households alike. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, these prints highlight how copyists like Waesberge preserved Dürer's influence across centuries, bridging Reformation-era spirituality with later printmaking traditions. Visitors will appreciate the series' intimate scale, ideal for personal meditation, and its vivid depiction of male figures in biblical scenes—soldiers, apostles, and Christ himself—evoking the human drama of faith. A testament to art's reproducibility, these engravings remind us how Dürer's genius inspired generations.

About the Artist

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

German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg|Dutch