More than 60 works of art from the famous Louvre museum in Paris will be at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in a special exhibit October 18, 2009 through January 10, 2010. "The Louvre and the Masterpiece" features artwork spanning 4,000 years, from the ancient Near East through mid-19th century Europe. It includes paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and drawings.

What makes a piece of art a masterpiece? That question is the theme of the exhibit, which explores how the concept of a "masterpiece" can alter over time, based on changing knowledge and perceptions. The exhibit looks at a variety of factors that influence the determination of a piece of art as a masterpiece, including authenticity, technical mastery, the artist's reputation, and the evolution of taste and scholarship.

Admission to the exhibit is by reservation, with tickets issued for specific dates and times. The top ticket price is $16 (adults on weekends), with lower prices for weekdays, seniors, students and children. Tickets may be reserved by phone at 612-870-6323 or online at www.artsmia.org/louvre/index.html. The website also has information on hours, location, and the extensive collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which is about a mile south of downtown Minneapolis.

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