The word 'masterpiece' is not a word that should be thrown around lightly. The Milwaukee Art Museum's newest exhibit, "Masterpieces of American Art, 1770 — 1920: From the Detroit Institute of Arts," includes over 90 art works considered to be masterworks.

Glenn Adamson, curator of the Chipstone Foundation and the museum's adjunct curator, said students will benefit from viewing the exhibit.

"There are two big reasons: American art history and American history in general," Adamson said. "There are many famous and important works in the show. It covers a large span of time and highlights the course of over 150 years."

The period of time covered by the exhibit showcases several styles of painting and sculpting adopted by American artists and used to display the changing feelings of the times.

"This is a great walk through American history and a good way to learn about history, particularly the Civil War, the American Revolution and the growth of the cities at the end of 19th century, all documented in different ways," Adamson said.

Adamson said American Impressionists are indebted to their French peers.

"American Impressionism is an offshoot of French Impressionism and has artists like Mary Cassatt," Adamson said. "There are 19th century landscapes (and) paintings by artists associated with the Hudson River School."

One landscape, "Syria by the Sea" by Frederic Edwin Church is actually a mixture of different places he visited. The painting is filled with crumbling ruins and the sun's coloring might make a viewer squint. On a rock in a corner of the painting, Church signed his name, but it looks etched in. Another painting by Church is on display

The exhibit also makes use of genre painting, which Adamson said shows the normal activities commoners dealt with like card games and rafting down the river.

"The Trapper's Return" by George Caleb Bingham, is one of the genre paintings featured and shows trappers on a river returning with their precious pelts. The trappers appear to be looking back at the viewer.

A painting like "Grandma's Hearthstone" by John Haberle exudes the warm appeal of a home with its roaring fire. Haberle created the lifelike painting using a technique called trompe l'oeil, or "fool the eye."

"There are some standout paintings like John Singleton Copely's 'Watson and the Shark' which is a real show stopper," Adamson said.

Another highlight of the exhibit is the guided audio tour. Visitors are given audio players at the beginning of the exhibit which can be used to learn more about certain paintings or listen to music.

"There are actually four versions of the tour including a children and an adult's tour," Adamson said. "Both adult and children's tours are in English and Spanish and they are free with admission."

The museum is inviting voters to get into its feature exhibits, including "Masterpieces," free by showing their "I Voted" sticker Nov. 2.

The Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., showcases "Masterpieces of American Art, 1770 — 1920: From the Detroit Institute of Arts" through January 30. Admission to the exhibit costs $12 for adults and $8 for students and includes general admission. More information is available by calling 224-3000 or at www.mam.org.