The Minneapolis Institute of Art has many beautiful collections. The evening course in which we art students participated proved to be instructive and relaxing. The lesson looked at what we had recently studied in the first section. Ancient art from the Near East, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan and Aegean were the themes of our evening. Everyone could see the Doryphoros, highlighted by the decorative streamers hanging from the ceiling. We were also able to observe pieces similar to those studied. It was a change to go on a school trip to the Institute, because compared to sitting and walking around looking at art it is always pleasant. When I walked through the art rooms, I had a variety of favorites. It is always difficult to choose and locate a specific piece. It's pretty exciting to reflect on all the pieces that have been learned. The Doryphoros (room 203), sculpted by the Roman Polykleitos around 450-440 BC, is surprising for the life contained in the marble. Given that there are only four in the world, it is wonderful that the MIA has one in its collections. Birds with foliage (room 240), is a Syrian mosaic by an unknown artist. It is a beautiful work created around the same time as the Doryphoros. The colors are reminiscent of autumn and the birds are graceful and attractive. The Crouching Lion (room 240), sculpted by an unknown Greek artist in 400 BC, is quite impressive. Later, when I stopped to look at some "miscellaneous objects", a small hematite frog (room 203), struck me. The hematite frog was made in Sumeria around 3,000 BC A sort of chalice bearing the name Ibex (Room 236), it was a fascinating Persian/Iranian piece of......center of card...... ited on many occasions. Each experience is varied and I learn something new every time I visit. Because I was able to study art this semester, I was able to look at the works we visited in a new way. They are not simply "works of art", but creations. When we study the background and history of a topic or a work of art, what is learned makes a difference, especially when we know what is being put before our eyes. Works Cited Kleiner, Fred. Gardner's Art Through the Ages Wadsworth: Cengage Learning, 2009“Minneapolis Institute of Arts” www.artsmia.org October 28, 2011“The Amica Library” www.amica.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/view/search? October 28, 2011“The Amica Library” www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico1280240-99030.html October 28, 2011“The Science Museum of Minnesota” http://www.smm.org/ October 28, 2011