Engraved copies of The Little Passion 1485 - 1699

Albrecht Dürer created this engraving as part of his Little Passion series in Germany during the early 16th century. The series reflects not only Dürer's devout Christianity, but also the religious and political context of the Reformation. Through its visual codes, this image creates meaning by depicting Christ’s last supper with his disciples, a key event in the Passion narrative. The artist's technique of engraving allowed for detailed lines, intricate textures, and the distribution of images to a wide audience. The rise of printmaking coincided with the Reformation, so Dürer’s prints contributed to the spread of religious ideas. Dürer, however, remained a life-long Catholic. This print is a cultural artifact shaped by the religious and social upheavals of its time and serves as a reminder of the artist's complex relationship with both established institutions and emerging movements. Historians explore such works through period documents, theological texts, and studies of print culture. They reveal the complex interplay of art, religion, and society during times of transformation.