The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

The Large Passion:  The Last Supper

The Large Passion: The Last Supper

1510
Location: not on view

Description

Two distinct styles are evident in the scenes of The Large Passion designed before 1500 and those made 10 years later, after Dürer's second journey to Venice. While the effect of the early scenes relies on using line, those executed after 1500 depend on tonal contrasts. Dürer expanded the number of tones from black and white to a range of grays by using parallel hatchings and by varying the widths of lines and the spaces between them. Areas of white paper seem more or less bright depending on the density of black around them—compare the halo of light around Christ's head with the highlight on the jug in the foreground. Further, the bold outlines of the first seven woodcuts, in which details are indicated by lively, individual strokes, have been replaced by more delicate, less dominant outlines, which are often blended into the shading created by even, parallel lines. Durer's later style is characterized by greater simplicity and economy of line, monumental figures that are comfortable within the picture space, and a harmonious, unified composition.
  • "The Print Club's Gift in Memory of Ralph King." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 13, no.7 (July 1926): 159-162. Reproduced: p. 158; Mentioned: p. 161 25136946
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1928. Reproduced: p. 49 archive.org
  • Against the Grain: Woodcuts from the Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 17-November 9, 2003).
    Albrecht Dürer and His Influence. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 16-March 10, 1991).
    Eight Masters of the Print. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 14, 1980-January 18, 1981).
    Art: The International Language. The Cleveland Museum of Art (October 2-November 4, 1956).
    16th Century German Woodcuts. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 24-February 26, 1939).
    16th Century Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 4-29, 1935).
  • {{cite web|title=The Large Passion: The Last Supper|url=false|author=Albrecht Dürer|year=1510|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1926.112