Minneapolis Institute of Art exterior in the springtime, framed by a ring of pink cherry blossoms
List

6 Inspiring Pieces at Minneapolis Institute of Art

Scroll to Read
Image Caption
Minneapolis Institute of Art framed by a ring of pink cherry blossoms in spring / Courtesy of Mia

6 Inspiring Pieces at Minneapolis Institute of Art

By Sheila Regan

Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia for short) has been open for over 100 years and is considered one of America’s most comprehensive art museums. Located just south of downtown Minneapolis, Mia is a must-visit destination on any Twin Cities trip.

The history of Minneapolis Institute of Art goes back to 1883, when the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts was formed. The society established its first permanent space in 1889 before opening its landmark Beaux-Arts building in 1915, where Mia still resides today.

With over 3,500 works typically on view at a time—plus around 90,000 works in the museum’s collection—you get a different experience every time you visit Mia.

While the museum is impressive in its list of ancient art and art from centuries past from all over the world, it also has invested in modern and contemporary art, and holds space for local artists as well through its beloved Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program gallery.

General admission is free, with special exhibits for an additional fee.

Minneapolis Institute of Art museum smartphone photography

Minneapolis Institute of Art / Laura Dekowski

6 Must-See Artworks at Mia

Many visitors choose to wander aimlessly through the museum’s vast collection, stopping every so often to admire exquisite paintings by old European masters, stunning pieces by both contemporary and ancient Native American artists, exquisite jade objects from Ancient China, groundbreaking conceptual art, and so much more.

But if you’re more of a planner, we’ve pulled together some of the museum’s standout works to help pick your route ahead of time.

  1. "Lucretia," 1666
    Oil painting, "Lucretia," by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

    "Lucretia" by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn is located in Gallery 311 / Minneapolis Institute of Art

    "Lucretia," 1666

    Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
    Oil on canvas

    This aching portrait of a young woman in despair perhaps reveals Rembrandt’s own state, being destitute and recently bereaved over his lover soon before his death. Rembrandt’s signature use of chiaroscuro and his virtuosic depiction of human emotion result in a painting so empathetic it takes your breath away.  

  2. "Ring Girl," 1965
    "Ring Girl," 1965

    Suellen Rocca
    Oil on canvas

    Dream-like female figures float across Suellen Roccas canvas, decorated with hieroglyphic wedding rings, ice cream cones and light bulbs. In her surreal, trippy world, numbers, poodles and palm trees swirl about, dancing in psychedelic space. Rocca was a founding member of the Chicago 1960s art group, Hairy Who, whose works reflected the Chicago Imagist movement's emphasis on fantasy-making in the latter half of the 20th century.

  3. "Shirt," c. 1720-1750
    An antelope-hide shirt with Native American patterns painted on it in light brown

    "Shirt," is located in Gallery 260 / Minneapolis Institute of Art

    "Shirt," c. 1720-1750

    Unknown artist
    Possibly antelope hide, pigments, cotton thread, sinew

    Among Mia’s impressive collection of art from the Americas is a very rare shirt made from animal hide, most likely crafted by a Native American woman. The elaborate piece of clothing contains elements of artistic traditions from the Great Lakes and the Plains, and has some indication of western tailoring, perhaps because of the influence of European traders. Decorated with abstract shapes—which could be interpreted as depictions of the Thunderbird archetype—the shirt is electric in both its craftsmanship and its artistry.

  4. Jade Mountain Illustrating the Gathering of Scholars at the Lanting Pavilion, 1790
    The light green jade boulder is carved to depict a literary gathering of scholar-officials

    Jade Mountain Illustrating the Gathering at the Lanting Pavilion is located in Gallery 210 / Minneapolis Institute of Art

    Jade Mountain Illustrating the Gathering of Scholars at the Lanting Pavilion, 1790

    Unknown artist
    Light green jade

    Commissioned by Qing dynasty emperor Qianlong in the 18th century, this immaculate sculptural work depicts a group of Chinese scholars drinking and discussing poetry in an idyllic mountain setting. Intricately carved out of glowing jade, the sculpture also includes poetic text from the first century as well as lines Qianlong most likely wrote himself. The emperor was a great lover of culture and beauty, and you can just imagine him gazing at this mountain dreaming of being on retreat far away from his emperor duties.

  5. Veiled Lady, 1860
    Marble bust of Veiled Lady, a statue by Raffaelo Monti

    Veiled Lady by Raffaelo Monti is located in Gallery 357  / Minneapolis Institute of Art

    Veiled Lady, 1860

    Raffaelo Monti
    Marble

    The veil covering the face of Raffaelo Monti’s sculpture looks diaphanous, almost as if instead of marble, it were made of some light and airy material. In the light, this piece seems to dance. Monti’s marvelous work is an example of a “tromp l’oeil,” or trick of the eye. Of course the veil is made of marble, and not see-through at all, but the artist’s skill at using texture and polish makes it seem transparent. Veiled sculptures became popular in the early 1700s. Monti perfected the technique in the following century, drawing praise as well as criticism for what some critics called trickery, rather than true art. The test of time, however, has sided with Monti.

  6. "Santos Dumont: The Father of Aviation II," 2009
    "Santos Dumont: The Father of Aviation II," 2009

    Kehinde Wiley
    Oil on canvas

    Perhaps best known for his presidential portrait of Barack Obama, Kehinde Wiley often draws on Old Master paintings for inspiration, changing them up to feature Black figures dressed in contemporary clothing. For this painting, Wiley takes a monument of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alexander Santos-Dumont as his inspiration. The original sculpture features Dumont alongside Icarus and two “fallen heroes” on the ground who died when one of Dumont’s planes crashed at an event in his honor. In Wiley’s interpretation, the fallen heroes are recast as young Black men splayed lifelessly against the rocks, their eyes open and pointed out toward the viewer—simultaneously depicting the men as heroes and challenging the viewer to consider what value is given to Black bodies.

COVID-19 Protocols at Mia

Last updated: March 19, 2021

Minneapolis Institute of Art is open to visitors, but you must make an appointment before you arrive. Free, timed tickets are available online or via phone. Attendance is limited to allow for ample social distancing (6 feet of space between visitors/parties must be maintained at all times), some areas of Mia are restricted to one-way movement and face masks are required throughout your visit.

Girl looking up at a wall of fossils at the Bell Museum

Uncover natural wonders at the Bell Museum in St. Paul

More Minnesota Museums & Galleries

Museums dedicated to art, history, science and more are scattered throughout Minnesota. From family-focused children's museums to world-renowned art showcases, you'll love exploring Minnesota's museums and galleries

Sheila Regan

Sheila Regan is a freelance writer, journalist and arts critic based in Minneapolis. She has covered dance, theater and the arts, in addition to news writing and feature reporting for local publications as well as national outlets, including Hyperallergic, the Washington Post, The Art Newspaper, ArtForum and Bomb.