Engraved copies of The Little Passion 1485 - 1699

Albrecht Dürer created this woodcut series, "The Little Passion," around the turn of the 16th century in Nuremberg. In it, we see the key events of Christ’s suffering and death. Here, Christ hangs on the cross, surrounded by a crowd of mourners and Roman soldiers. The print is small and relatively inexpensive, so it could be purchased and carried easily. Through his accessible and affordable prints, Dürer democratized religious imagery. This was a time of religious reform and political upheaval. Dürer’s images, circulated widely, provided individuals direct access to biblical narratives, bypassing the traditional authority of the Church. His decision to create art that could be reproduced and distributed reflects the changing relationship between artist, patron, and public during the Renaissance. The interpretation of art is never fixed. By examining the historical context and cultural forces, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance. Accessing archives, libraries and other collections help us to interpret the meaning of art as something contingent on social and institutional context.