June 5, 2025

Minneapolis—This summer, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) invites visitors to explore the strange, the surreal, and the sublime in a new exhibition, “The Weirdening of the Renaissance,” on view June 14 through November 30, 2025, in Gallery 344. Admission is free.

During the early Renaissance, artists drew inspiration from ancient Rome, producing works characterized by order, balance, and rationality. But as the movement evolved, so did the art—and not always in expected ways. Catalyzed by the dramatic 1506 discovery of the Laocoön sculpture in Rome, artists began pushing past the confines of symmetry and realism, unleashing a wave of experimental energy that embraced the bizarre.

“This exhibition takes us to the wonderfully weird world of artists freed from narrow ideas of Renaissance propriety,” said Tom Rassieur, John E. Andrus III Curator of Prints and Drawings at Mia. “It’s a reminder that the Renaissance wasn’t just a rebirth of old ideas—it was also a hotbed of innovation, imagination, and strangeness.”

Through rarely seen Italian and Northern engravings, woodcuts, and etchings from Mia’s collection, “The Weirdening of the Renaissance” explores how artists manipulated perspective, distorted figures, and turned away from purely representational imagery. What began as a return to classical ideals evolved into a fascinating, otherworldly visual language that continues to captivate viewers today.

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Title: “The Weirdening of the Renaissance”
• Dates: June 14–November 30, 2025
• Location: Gallery 344, Mia
• Cost: Free

For more information on this and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.