Centuries Old Tapestry - The Meeting of Dante and Virgil - on Display at Mia

Is your fall schedule bursting with activities - Lynx playoffs, Gophers games, coursework, farmers markets, and just too many things to list? Looking for a worthwhile outing that won’t eat up your entire day? Make a quick stop at Mia to view a nearly 500-year-old masterpiece that has finally come out of hiding. After nearly 70 years in storage, The Meeting of Dante and Virgil is back on display, and its 17.4-foot size makes it impossible to miss.

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Woven in Florence between 1547 and 1549, this extraordinary Renaissance tapestry is considered the most important Italian Renaissance tapestry in the United States. You don’t need hours to appreciate it - give yourself a little time to stand in front of it, take in the intricate details and imagine the skill and history woven into every thread.

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The exhibition, Back from the Underworld: Mia’s Dante Tapestry Restored, also tells the fascinating story of how this fragile work was brought back to life and made safe for display. It’s the kind of museum visit that delivers a lot without requiring a lot of time. If you’re in Minneapolis, it’s well worth making the effort to visit, even if you only have an hour to spare. The tapestry will be on view in Gallery 330 through January 31, 2027.