The Henry Clay Frick House in New York, New York is home to some of the world’s most famous works of art. Featuring artists like Goya, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, as well as works of porcelain and sculpture, the collection is world-renowned for its variety.Recently, the Frick Mansion has closed for renovations. For the first time, the collection of art is on display at the Breuer Building, a temporary home which is open to the public. Visitors can see the art in never-before-seen spaces, lit by natural light against backdrops of plain gray walls. In stark contrast to the Frick Mansion’s elaborate rooms and furniture, this gives museum lovers the chance to experience the art in a pure, clean, and unadorned way, shifting the perspective off of the luxurious mansion and onto the famous artworks.
Highlights Of The Frick Madison
Henry Clay Frick, a wealthy American living during the beginning of the 20th century, collected numerous paintings throughout his life. After his death, his daughter continued to expand his collection, and eventually, the collection was opened to the public for all to enjoy. Here are some of the collection's highlights, must-see works on display today.
- Various paintings (the 1600s) by Anthony van Dyck
- Second Floor, Room 5
For the very first time, visitors can see eight of Van Dyck’s giant paintings in one room. Works like Genoese Noblewoman (1622 - 1627), Lord Strange, James Stanley, Later Seventh Earl of Derby, Charlotte, and Their Daughter (1636), and Sir John Suckling (1638) are fascinating and beautiful examples of the artist’s talent for painting portraits.
Henry Frick possessed more works by Flemish Baroque artists than any other painter, and these paintings represent eight different periods of Van Dyck’s life.
Don’t miss the chance to see so many of Anthony van Dyck’s works in one place!
- Officer and Laughing Girl (1657) - Johannes Vermeer
- Second Floor, room 6
One of two Vermeers on display in this room (the other being Mistress and Maid), Officer and Laughing Girl features a girl, seated at a table, smiling at a shadowed man seated opposite her. Her smile is brightened by light streaming from a window, highlighting the color of her yellow dress, white cap, and also the red of the man’s coat. She’s clutching a wine glass, signaling to the viewer of her wealth, and a detailed painting stretches against the wall behind her.
It’s a marvelous, must-see painting, with dubious meanings. It certainly deserves a long moment to be observed and appreciated!
- St. Francis in the Desert (1475 - 1480) - Giovanni Bellini
- Third Floor, room 13
Featuring a colorful and incredibly detailed representation of St. Francis experiencing some kind of magical or spiritual event, is certainly a painting to behold. Famous for its details, viewers can stare at this work for hours and still find more to discover. At the Frick Madison, this Bellini beauty has been placed next to a window. From this modern, trapezoidal window, light bathes the painting on its western side, perhaps in the way Bellini might have intended it.
Featuring a gorgeous exploration in lighting, shadow, and detail, this painting is often celebrated as one of the most beautiful paintings in the world. It definitely is a must-see at the Frick Madison.
- The Comtesse d'Haussonville (1845) - Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
- Fourth Floor, room 23
Perhaps one of the most recognizable portraits of a woman in the history of oil paintings, The Comtesse d'Haussonville is a fascinating painting. The subject, Louise de Broglie, Countess d'Haussonville, stands in a lavish gray-blue dress, her head tilted, while her hand rests beneath her chin. Behind her, a mirror reflects the back of her head, and a dresser features various writing materials, hinting at the subject’s affinity for reading and writing.
It’s a gorgeous representation of a woman- her facial features, her clothing, and the subtle suggestions of her intellectual prowess.
Be sure to take note of Ingres’ mistake in this stunning painting - the Comtesse’s arm appears to be coming out of her stomach, not her shoulder!
Know Before Going
- Download the Bloomberg Connects App, a free guide that will provide commentary on almost every work. This is helpful because it allows guests to maintain distance from others, rather than group together in a more traditional tour. It also gives guests the freedom to pick and choose which works they want to see and in what order.
- Unusual for museums, The Frick Madison has no glass separating the art from viewers. Take this chance to get up close and really appreciate the complexity of these artworks!
General Information
- Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Pricing: Adults $22, Seniors (65+) $17. Visitors with disabilities $17, College students (with I.D.) $12, Youth (ages 10–17) $12, Members are free
- Donation-based admission: Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Address: 945 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021, United States
The Frick Madison is a special experience for lovers of museums and art who will not want to miss it. The chance to see these paintings, sculptures and furniture in a no-frills space will certainly be a staple to any visit to New York.