Engraved copies of The Little Passion 1485 - 1699

Albrecht Durer created this engraving of The Little Passion. Notice the composition is split into two distinct registers: one above, one below. The upper portion features a shallow, arched space containing Christ, flanked by tormentors, all rendered with a dense network of fine, closely-hatched lines. The controlled handling of line work creates a sense of depth and shadow. Below, figures gesture towards Christ, their faces conveying varied emotions, from accusation to quiet contemplation. Durer uses stark contrasts to separate the planes. This divide underscores the painting's thematic tensions between divine suffering and human response. The formal structure of the work reinforces a semiotic reading: the upper scene represents divine judgment while the lower reflects human morality. The strategic use of line and space compels the viewer to consider the relationship between religious narrative and personal interpretation. The engraving challenges fixed meanings, inviting continuous contemplation and re-evaluation.