Minneapolis Review

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced a series of significant acquisitions that span eight centuries and multiple cultures, enriching its already diverse collection. Katie Luber, Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of Mia, emphasized the museum's dedication to "building a truly global collection that honors artistic excellence across time periods and cultures." Luber noted that these new works will enhance visitors' understanding of varied artistic traditions from different eras and regions.

Among the notable additions is "Painting the Town #4" by Carrie Mae Weems, an American artist known for her impactful social commentary through photography. This work is part of her "Painting the Town" series and reflects on contemporary social issues by capturing a boarded-up storefront in Portland following the 2020 protests.

Another significant acquisition is "Virgen de Guadalupe," attributed to the circle of Manuel de Arellano. This piece marks Mia's first Latin American religious image from the colonial period, showcasing a blend of Catholic and Indigenous iconography.

From medieval France comes an enameled gemellion dating back to circa 1250–75. This rare artifact highlights Limoges' champlevé enamel technique on gilded copper, representing both secular and religious hand-washing rituals.

The museum also acquired a pair of Italian pedestals from the 1790s by Giacomo Raffaelli. These pedestals are celebrated for their intricate micromosaic panels, showcasing birds, flowers, and butterflies—an embodiment of 18th-century Italian decorative arts.

A Greek vase from around 1765 by Sèvres Porcelain Factory adds to Mia’s neoclassical collections. It features a bold Greek meander pattern with a unique blue glaze that became iconic in French design.

Blanche Hoschedé-Monet's "Snowy Country Road, Le Val near Giverny" captures a winter landscape painted during her early career. The work adds depth to Mia’s Impressionist collection alongside pieces by Claude Monet and others associated with Giverny.

Louis Welden Hawkins' "Sa demeure" represents symbolist painting at its height with an enigmatic garden scene filled with symbolic objects. This mid-career work offers insight into Hawkins’ transition from naturalism to symbolism.

Lastly, an early 17th-century Japanese tea bowl showcases black Oribe ceramics' complexity and innovation during Japan's Edo period. Its design reflects radical aesthetic experimentation influential in Japanese tea culture.

Mia continues to offer free general admission while some special exhibitions may require a nominal fee. More information about the museum can be found on their website or by contacting them directly.