The Last Supper, from "The Small Passion"

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Dürer, a towering figure of the Northern Renaissance, created *The Last Supper* as part of his renowned *Small Passion* series—a compact set of woodcuts narrating Christ's life for devotional use. This intimate print, measuring just 5 x 3 7/8 inches, the pivotal biblical moment where Jesus shares his final meal with the Apostles,ing betrayal and sacrifice. Dürer's precise composition draws viewers into the solemn gathering, with expressive figures crowded around the table, rendered in stark black-and-white contrast. As a master of woodcut technique, Dürer transformed this humble medi...

About the Artist

Albrecht Dürer · 1471–1528

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) stands as the preeminent figure of the Northern Renaissance and arguably the most influential artist in the history of printmaking. Born in Nuremberg on May 21, 1471, and dying in the same city on April 6, 1528, Dürer revolutionized the status of the artist in Northern Europe, transforming printmaking from a commercial craft into an independent fine art and establishing ...