Louvre Love

How does the Minneapolis Institute of Arts stack up against the greatest museum in the world?

This month, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts opens two exhibitions: “The Louvre and the Masterpiece,” featuring great works from the French museum, and “In Pursuit of a Masterpiece,” showcasing great works from the MIA’s own collection. On the surface, it seems like comparing apples and, well, Cezanne’s apples. The Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, best known for the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The MIA is Minnesota’s most-visited museum, best known for its Asian period rooms. Nevertheless, a side-by-side sampling of the shows may surprise you, depending on your own personal taste.