Summary
About The Frick Collection:
The Fifth Avenue Mansion housing the Frick Collection was built in 1913-1914 for Henry Clay Frick, a successful steel and coke industrialist. A longtime patron of the arts, Frick’s collection includes a diverse range of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative arts. What is most impressive about a visit to the Frick is the opportunity to see the art arranged in the mansion. Many pieces are still on display where Frick originally placed them.
You can also see the rooms where Frick, his wife Adelaide, and his daughter lived. Their bedrooms were located on the second floor of the building, spaces that are now galleries. Notably, twenty-seven servants once resided on the third floor, showcasing the extensive size of this mansion.
The building itself is quite spectacular. While it was a private home, it was designed to serve as a public museum and institution as well. The original property had two galleries (the Oval Room and East Gallery), a music room, and a garden court, all of which remain today. Decades later, expansions including a new reception hall, two new galleries, and a portico were added to the mansion.
What to See: Frick Collection Highlights
The museum is particularly known for its distinguished Old Master paintings. Its permanent collection features works by celebrated artists such as William Hogarth, Francois Boucher, and Agnolo Bronzino. However, not all paintings are displayed at any given time. If you are interested in seeing a specific painting, consult the official website for details on availability during your visit.
Additionally, for those interested in Impressionist paintings, the Frick Collection showcases several works by Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-August Renoir.
- The Comtess d’Haussonville, 1845, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
- The Forge, ca. 1817, Francisco Goya
- Self-Portrait, 1658, Rembrandt
- Mother and Children, ca. 1876-78, Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Sir Thomas More, 1527, Hans Holbein the Younger
- The Purification of the Temple, ca. 1600, El Greco
- Zephyrus and Flora, 1799, Clodion (Claude Michel)
Special Events
The museum regularly hosts lectures, talks, concerts, and salon evenings. Check the official website for the complete event schedule. Additionally, the museum offers pay-what-you-want drawing and sketching classes suitable for students of all ages.
The first Friday of each month (excluding January and September) offers free admission. You can enjoy browsing the permanent and special exhibitions alongside lectures, dance performances, and music shows. It’s particularly delightful in the summer, providing an opportunity to explore the garden.
Things to Know Before Your Visit
The Frick Collection maintains a policy regarding children: no visitors under the age of 10, and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This ensures that adult visitors can have an intimate experience with the various pieces of art in the collection. Very few items are displayed behind glass, allowing for close proximity to nearly everything on display.
The audio tour is included with the cost of admission and provides valuable insights into the paintings, sculpture, furniture, and the mansion itself. Consequently, a visit to the Frick’s permanent collection takes about 2 hours if you engage with the audio tour. Additionally, the Frick frequently changes its temporary exhibitions.
For those looking to maximize their visit, planning ahead using the virtual museum map available on the official site is recommended. This resource allows you to pinpoint the exact pieces of art you wish to see.
Location and Contact Info
- Address: 1 East 70th Street (at 5th Avenue)
- Phone: 212-288-0700
- Subway: 6 to 68th Street
- Official Website: http://www.frick.org/
