Christ in Emmaus, from The Small Passion 1510

Albrecht Durer made this woodcut, Christ in Emmaus, as part of his Small Passion series. The image illustrates the moment when the resurrected Christ reveals himself to two disciples during a meal. Durer was working in 16th century Germany amidst the rise of the printing press. The cultural context of the Reformation, which challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, had a profound influence on Durer’s work. Woodcuts were relatively inexpensive to produce, making images like this accessible to a wider audience. Note how Durer uses the woodcut medium to create a sense of drama, with the strong contrast between light and dark emphasizing Christ's divinity. The setting, with its humble food and simple furnishings, suggests a focus on personal faith rather than elaborate religious ceremony. The historian can consider the economic, religious, and social factors influencing its production and reception by looking at things like the history of printmaking and the social impact of the Reformation. Art like this helps us understand shifting cultural values.