Engraved copies of The Little Passion 1485 - 1699

This is one of a series of engraved copies of "The Little Passion" made by Albrecht Durer, likely sometime in the early 16th century. Here, the risen Christ stands triumphant, bearing the banner of his victory over death. We see a synthesis of the religious and the social. The detailed rendering of armor and clothing reflects the material culture of Durer's Germany. Yet, the surrounding landscape, bathed in divine light, evokes a spiritual realm. Durer lived during a time of religious and social upheaval, during the rise of the printing press and the Protestant Reformation. The "Little Passion", as a widely distributed print, speaks to the changing role of art. No longer confined to the walls of churches, religious imagery entered the homes of ordinary people, shaping their beliefs. To fully grasp the power of Durer's "Little Passion", we need to delve into the religious and social context of his time. Using historical documents, religious texts, and studies of print culture, we can explore how art both reflected and shaped the world around it.