Frick Collection | Manhattan

The Frick Collection is one of New York City's most renowned art museums, housed in the former mansion of industrialist and philanthropist Henry Clay Frick. The museum is celebrated for its exceptional collection of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and rare furniture. The Frick Collection offers visitors an intimate, personal experience with art, as it was originally designed as a private residence for Frick and his family.

History and Origins

The Frick Collection was established by Henry Clay Frick, an American industrialist who made his fortune in the steel industry. Frick’s passion for art and his commitment to building a distinguished collection of European masterpieces led him to begin acquiring artwork in the late 19th century. His goal was to create a space where visitors could appreciate and engage with the finest examples of art from Europe.

The Mansion: Frick commissioned the construction of his grand mansion at 1 East 70th Street in Manhattan, which was designed by the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings. The mansion, completed in 1914, was built in the Beaux-Arts style and was intended to be both a private home and a display space for Frick’s growing art collection. The mansion’s design is known for its elegance and grandeur, with rich interiors, marble staircases, and ornate rooms that provided the perfect setting for Frick's prized artwork.

Founding of the Museum: Upon Frick's death in 1919, his will stipulated that his home and art collection be preserved as a museum for the public. The museum officially opened in 1935, and the collection has been continuously expanded and curated since then. Today, it remains a private museum, governed by a board of trustees and managed by a professional staff.

The Collection

The Frick Collection is best known for its European paintings, but it also houses an impressive array of sculpture, decorative arts, furniture, tapestries, and European porcelain. Frick’s collection was designed to showcase the finest examples of Western art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century.

Paintings

The Frick’s painting collection is one of its most celebrated aspects, featuring works by some of the most famous European artists of all time:

Old Masters: The collection includes masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, El Greco, Goya, and Botticelli. Notable paintings include "The Polish Rider" by Rembrandt, "Young Woman with a Water Jug" by Vermeer, and "St. Francis in the Desert" by Giovanni Bellini.

Italian Renaissance and Baroque: The Frick has an extensive collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including works by Titian, Raphael, Francesco Albani, and Peter Paul Rubens. The inclusion of such works highlights Frick's passion for classical and Renaissance art, as well as his desire to collect the finest examples of Western painting.

French and Spanish Paintings: The collection also features several works by French and Spanish masters. These include François Boucher, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Diego Velázquez. The Frick is known for possessing rare and historically significant works, such as "The Rape of Europa" by Fragonard.

Sculpture and Decorative Arts

In addition to its paintings, the Frick Collection is known for its exceptional collection of sculpture and decorative arts. It includes works from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical periods:

Sculpture: The collection features notable sculptures by renowned artists, including Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Antonio Canova, and Bertel Thorvaldsen. Many of these sculptures are displayed throughout the mansion, often integrated with other works of art and decorative pieces to create a harmonious visual experience.

Furniture and Decorative Arts: The Frick is famous for its collection of fine furniture and decorative arts, including Louis XIV and Louis XV furniture, Chinese porcelain, and Italian Renaissance tapestries. These objects are placed throughout the mansion and are carefully curated to reflect the aesthetic sensibility of the time periods they represent.

European Porcelain: The Frick’s porcelain collection includes Meissen and Sèvres porcelain, as well as fine French and Italian porcelain pieces. These exquisite objects are often displayed in conjunction with other decorative arts to create a cohesive, opulent setting.

Works on Paper

While not as large as the collection of paintings, the works on paper collection of the Frick includes a significant number of drawings, etchings, and prints by famous artists. Works by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, and Pierre-Paul Prud'hon are included in this collection.

Architecture and Interior Design

The building that houses the Frick Collection is itself a work of art. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, the mansion was constructed using high-quality materials such as Italian marble, French wood paneling, and carved stone. The design of the mansion allows the artwork to be displayed in a way that emphasizes its beauty while providing an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.

The Frick Collection’s Rooms: Each room of the Frick mansion is designed to complement the artwork it contains. The layout includes both formal galleries and more intimate spaces that allow visitors to closely examine the art. The Living Room, Music Room, Oval Room, and The Library are just a few examples of rooms where the art is displayed within a residential context, providing an immersive and personal viewing experience.

The Garden: The Frick also has an exquisite garden, which was designed by Pieter de Vries and offers a tranquil outdoor space for visitors. The garden features classical sculptures and fountains, and its design complements the museum’s overall aesthetic, providing a serene environment that enhances the visitor experience.

Visitor Experience

The Frick Collection offers a range of programs and services for its visitors, including temporary exhibitions, lectures, special events, and educational programs. The museum is known for its intimate setting, where visitors can view masterpieces in a relatively small space, providing a more personal and contemplative art experience compared to larger institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art.

Temporary Exhibitions: In addition to its permanent collection, the Frick hosts rotating temporary exhibitions that focus on specific artists, art movements, or themes. These exhibitions often feature rare and significant works of art from both the Frick’s own collection and other prestigious institutions around the world.

Educational Programs: The Frick offers a variety of educational programs for all ages, including guided tours, lectures, and workshops. These programs help to deepen the understanding of the art on display and encourage visitors to engage more fully with the works.

Changes and Relocation

In 2018, the Frick Collection temporarily closed its doors to undergo a major renovation and expansion project. The renovation aims to modernize the museum’s facilities, improve accessibility, and enhance the visitor experience. During this period, the collection has been partially moved to temporary spaces such as the Frick Madison (a temporary exhibition space located in the Breuer Building on Madison Avenue). The renovation is expected to be completed in the coming years, and upon its completion, the museum will reopen with enhanced facilities while maintaining its traditional, intimate atmosphere.

Conclusion

The Frick Collection remains one of the most esteemed and beloved museums in New York City. With its remarkable collection of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and the intimate, historical setting of Henry Frick’s former mansion, it offers a unique and immersive cultural experience. The Frick continues to be a vital part of New York’s art scene, providing both art lovers and casual visitors with a window into the world of European masterpieces.