Opening November 1, The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries presents, for the first time in the Art Institute's history, its unparalleled tapestry collection. After decades in storage, this remarkable collection has just returned from a 13-year conservation project in Belgium. Freshly restored to their full splendor, the exhibition's 70 monumental masterpieces will only be on view for two months, so be sure to catch these majestic works before they return to storage. Celebrate this remarkable exhibition with a symposium as renowned international tapestry scholars present exciting new research uncovered during the recent conservation project.

Join the celebration as 360 Degrees: Art beyond Borders continues this month. November's offerings include a discussion with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering Lewis and 60 Minutes host Lesley Stahl, an early music concert inspired by the tapestries in The Divine Art from Ars Antigua, and a reading from Irish-born poet Paul Muldoon. Explore the entire array of 360 Degrees events and download our Facebook application for the most current information on upcoming events.

With the country currently focused on the upcoming presidential election, it comes as no surprise that photography is integral to promoting a certain national ideal. However, this is nothing new; photographers across the globe have long documented political and social subjects that strengthen, record, or even critique a nation's identity. The exhibition Of National Interest presents diverse perspectives on national pride—idealized images, declarations of independence, and scenes of conflict. The exhibition features work by influential early photographers Gustave Le Gray and Alexander Gardner, modern masters August Sander and Robert Frank, and contemporary photographers such as Gilles Peress and Raghubir Singh.

Long before red and blue became the emblematic colors of the major U.S. political parties, the two vivid hues had been used by artists throughout the centuries and around the world. Use this month's self-guide to find various vibrant appearances of red and blue throughout the collection. Explore the fascinating sources and rich symbolism of these popular shades and cast your vote for the most compelling color.

If you're as excited as we are about the return of the museum's modern collection this spring, you won't want to miss Modern Japanese Prints from Oliver Statler. Featuring the bold and innovative works that came out of Japan's mid-20th-century sosaku hanga, or creative print, movement, the exhibition presents the many works donated to the museum by collector and scholar Oliver H. Statler. While stationed in Tokyo after World War II, Statler fell in love with Japan's burgeoning new art, authoring the 1956 landmark book Modern Japanese Prints: An Art Reborn and amassing the world's most extensive collection of modern Japanese prints. Don't miss these modern gems.

Nothing says the start of the holiday season in Chicago like our annual Wreathing of the Lions ceremony. Join us the day after Thanksgiving on the Michigan Avenue steps for this Chicago tradition. After our famous lions have donned their wreaths, visit the Kraft Education Center for a drop-in family workshop to create your own wreath inspired by the exhibition The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries.

Mark your calendar to be the first to see The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries. This long-awaited exhibition does not open to the public until November 1, but members get an exclusive first look at the tapestry treasures at the Member Preview from 10:00 until 2:00 on October 31. The very next day members enjoy double discounts in the Museum Shop and the museum's restaurants in honor of Member Appreciation Day. Want to get in on these opportunities? Join today!

Autumn (detail) from The Seasons, 1700/20. After a design by Charles Le Brun. Produced at the workshop of Etienne Le Blond and Jean de La Croix at the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins. Gift of the Hearst Foundation in memory of William Randolph Hearst.

Edward S. Curtis. Watching the Dancers, 1906. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kolodny.

Autumn from The Seasons, 1700/20. After a design by Charles Le Brun. Produced at the workshop of Etienne Le Blond and Jean de La Croix at the Manufacture Royale des Gobelins. Gift of the Hearst Foundation in memory of William Randolph Hearst.

Stuart Davis. Ready-to-Wear, 1955. Restricted gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund W. Kunstadter; Goodman Endowment.

Onchi Koshiro. Object Number Four, 1954. Gift of Oliver H. Statler.

The Emperor Sailing (detail) from The Story of the Emperor of China, 1716/22. After a design by Guy-Louis Vernansal. Produced at the Manufacture Royale de Beauvais, France. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Worcester Fund.