Frick Collection

6/11/2012

Children under 10 are not admitted. My 6 year old was admitted to The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City but not to Frick Collection in Manhattan. Is this United States of America? This is age discrimination that suggests: children under 10 are not capable of enjoying art. Frick Collection owners perceive children under 10 as harm makers.
As a parent I choose to disagree with the perception to the point of ignoring the Frick Collection establishment entirely.

8/2/2010

This is the the first place I recommend to visitors from out of town who say they are interested in art. The house itself, the way the museum is laid out and of course the masterpieces adorning the walls are all unbelievable. Mr. Frick had fantastic taste and you can really get a sense of his personality through touring his house.

The museum is not at all overwhelming - you can go through everything in under two hours. It is a bit pricey, but if you have limited time in the city and can only choose one museum I would recommend Frick even over the Met, which can get stressful after just a few minutes due to the sheer size and the crowds on a weekend.

3/16/2010

The Frick is my favorite place in town. It houses a lovely edited collection of European impressionist, expressionist, rococo art.

This is not a place to see radical provocative modern art.  Henry Clay Frick lived here and wanted to surround himself with beautiful pleasing pieces. The museum itself is beyond gorgeous with high ceilings and spacious rooms. A good place to rest is the indoor courtyard-a little oasis on the UES.

5/13/2010

Entering the Frick makes you feel like you are entering a European villa - replete with columns and garden courtyards. That alone makes it worth the visit. And then there's the art collection: brilliant. If you like El Greco, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Goya, Van Dyck, Turner, Whistler - then this is the place for you. Also renowned is Piero della Francesca's image of St. John the Evangelist. [Note: You can also tour the living areas of the house,  like the dining hall, etc.]  Love it.

4/13/2012

What an amazing museum! The Fragonard painting are awful as always, but the setting of the museum is fantastic.

11/13/2010

A must see place if in the city! I love visiting museums but this one is quite different because it is in a beautiful house. The assortment of beautiful pieces in the Frick collection are amazing, some great pieces of art there. From paintings, to sofas, to vases, and statues, it has it all.

I was just in the city visiting today and stopped by and the gallery downstairs had a Spanish collection of drawings, most by Goya. Simply amazing. If you enjoy a great art collection, this should be on your to do list...so stop by and do it!

9/8/2009

A small but beautiful museum. A few pieces by Jonathan Vermeer. He only had 30 paintings in total. The admission fee is $18, a bit steep, but very well worth it. The museum is small enough so that everything can be seen in a day. A great date place ;-)

10/24/2007

=)

My favorite museum to go to of all time.

To me, it seems like such an intimate collection and they have my favorite Rembrandt pieces.

I'm really not sure what else to say except that there's this wonderful charm about the place that draws me to it. I can't pinpoint what it is about it but after visiting the place once I fell in love. Actually, I love everything about the place... it's true love really. =)

8/30/2009

This gorgeous gem on the Upper East Side features some of the world's most famous works art in a beautiful and historical setting. The Met is certainly wonderful, but if you want to experience some phenomenal works of art in a small-scale setting, then I strongly suggest you head on over to the Frick Collection.

I'd always wanted to visit the Frick but never had the opportunity to go until recently. Yes, the admissions price is a little steep - $18 for general admission, although the student discount is an awesome $5 - but the money you'll shell out is totally worthwhile. In addition, the Frick offers a "pay what you wish" opportunity on Sundays between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., which is pretty terrific in and of itself.

But back to the Frick. The museum was actually once the home of the 19th century financier Henry Clay Frick, once known as "America's most hated man." In more recent years, he made a splash through his appearance on an unfortunate list compiling the "Worst CEOs of All Time." While he may not have been a well-liked businessman, Frick was a rabid art collector, and every room in his house reflects his taste and passion for art.

The Frick contains many famous Old Master paintings. As an example, they have three Vermeers. VERMEER!! (Squeal of delight.) Considering that there are only around 34 Vermeers known to exist in the entire world, the fact that the Frick owns three of them is incredible. They include the paintings "Officer and Laughing Girl," and the gorgeous "Girl Interrupted In Her Music," which are housed together in the same gallery, while the luminous "Mistress and Maid" makes its home in the prestigious West Gallery. Its neighbors include a Goya, a Veronese and Rembrandt's famous painting "The Polish Rider." Great stuff.

The Frick is an absolutely gorgeous building, and once inside it is astounding to realize that someone actually lived there at one time. Proceeding from room to room, you're able to admire art while standing in rooms that Frick and his family once used in daily life: the dining room, the living hall, and various hallways and anterooms. Almost every room has a grand, massive fireplace and roped-off furniture that you can contemplate. No space is left bare. The walls in the Boucher room, for example, depict angels and cupids dressed in 18th century garb. The entire room looks like something lifted from Versailles. There are also several freestanding busts in the Boucher room, and one wall depicts a cupid carving a sculpture similar to one that's in the room. Look for it when you're there!

The Library - this would be Frick's personal library and not the art library that is also housed in the museum - contains a portrait of the man himself over the fireplace. It's really breathtaking. But my absolute favorite, in addition to the West Gallery, had to the the living hall. It had an El Greco, for God's sake! Hanging above one of the fireplaces!! And on the opposite wall - Bellini's "St. Francis in the Desert"! Oh my!

This place doesn't just have El Greco and Goya and Rembrandt and Vermeer. It also has Whistler. Yes, Whistler! The Oval Room should be renamed "The Whistler Room," because every single painting in this room is a Whistler. And let's not forget the Renoir in the South Hall or Edgar Degas' dancers, who can be found strutting their stuff in the North Hall.

Other fun spots in the Frick included the Enamel Room and the East and West Vestibules, which contain lots of 13th/14th century Italian religious art on panels. The East Vestibule also contains an enormous grandfather clock from the 17th century that actually works! It tells the time precisely, and if you lean in close - but not too close, because the guards hover - you can hear it tick.

And here's where the Frick differs from other major museums. With the exception of the furniture, nothing is roped off. The sculptures aren't squirreled away behind glass, and the paintings are hanging at eye-level on the walls. Children under 10 aren't allowed at the Frick for the simple reason that Fragile Art + Rambunctious Kids = Really, Really Bad Things Happening.

But it's amazing to be able to get so up close and personal with the artwork in this manner. While all the works of art are identified, those used to finding plaques detailing the paintings and their histories won't find that here. For that, you need to avail yourself of the free audio guide, which looks like a giant remote control. I didn't use the audio guide and though I had a wonderful time, I'll probably use one the next time I visit.

The Frick is so very beautiful, and a visit to this small museum is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. You're able to see many famous works of art without feeling that you've traipsed all over creation in doing so, and you leave here feeling very refreshed and happy and light. I loved this place.

10/3/2009

What isn't to love? The Frick is an absolute masterpiece.

I became a member last week so that I can more easily drag friends here. Definitely get the audio guide (free!) and be sure to listen to the description of Holbein's painting of Sir Thomas Moore. Something along the lines of : "You've seen this picture so many times that it's hard to believe it's really right in front of you. Well, it is, and it's absolutely fantastic." An even better line comes later on: "Notice the bravura realism of Moore's stubble. It makes your knees quake."

So does the entire Frick.

9/12/2010

What I really like about the Frick is that you can view an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, and enamels all on one floor without having to spend countless hours on your poor tired feet like at bigger museums or art galleries. One and a half hours is more than enough time to see everything, and there is a lot to see in this small space.

Some of my favorite paintings:

Jean-Étienne Liotard's Trompe l'Oeil
Vermeer's Officer and Girl (there are 3 Vermeer's in the house by the way)
Millet's Woman Sewing By Lamplight
Bellini's  St. Francis in the Desert
Manet's The Bullfight
Renoir's Mother and Children (La Promenade)

and sculptures:

Buonarroti's Samson and Two Philistines
Tacca's Nessus and Deianira
Susini's A Lion Attacking a Horse
Hercules and the Hydra

You get the picture.

2/1/2013

Lovely collection of art in a gorgeous house. $10 for students.

5/28/2007

One of my happy places in NY.

The Frick is Amazing!  Located in a breathtaking mansion, every inch of this landmark is fantastic.  Every piece of art is strategically placed to fit the molding/color/feel of the room.  I loved the antique furniture that filled the mansion, and the home itself stole my heart.  

My favorite part of the museum is the courtyard.  There was a string quartet playing during my visit (cocktail reception), that made the whole experience even lovelier!  

I fell in love with the Frick, and will be back.

10/2/2010

I definitely enjoyed the Frick Collection.  Sometimes museums can be overwhelmingly large, but this museum/preserved house is just the perfect size for a day visit in the city.

The audio tour consists of details about the specific room you are visiting as well as certain objects or paintings throughout the museum.  The audio tour really added a great amount of detail without being overkill.  However, the British narrator could get a bit intense with the hyperbolic nature of his discussions.

I was also surprised by how many well-known painters' works were on display here, many of which have never left the Frick.  Seeing works by Degas, Monet, Manet, Goya and El Greco that I couldn't have seen before was a nice surprise.

The architecture of the house was also a nice addition to the visit: I particularly enjoyed the staircase that lead to the upstairs.

My only disappointment with the Frick was the inability to visit the outdoor gardens and terrace.  I had wished we could have had a better look at the lily pond and the front lawn.

For $5, I definitely thought the Frick Collection was an excellent deal.  I would recommend it to any students interested in art and French decor.

11/30/2009

I had no idea this was even here, but my art-loving grandparents - and former New Yorkers - told me I had to find this place. As an art major, it felt like my pilgrimage and a must do lest I disappoint the family.

The outside alone was large and incredible against a sea of concrete. Instead of skinny brownstones and large brick walls, here stood a beautiful home, and everything inside was even better. I recommend going on a Sunday so you can pay what you wish (11-2pm I think are the hours), but it's $18 a person otherwise. You can check your coat for free and there is a free optional audio tour available that I highly recommend you take! You learn about the art, why it's there, how to got there, if it left, why it's in that room, what the art means... so much information without being an overload. I really enjoyed the experience and am glad to see everything so well taken care of here. Many famous artists and a few famous paintings sit inside these walls, as well as other great pieces of period furniture and lavish decor.

If you only have time to see one art museum, you might want to consider the Frick. Having seen some of these others, this one is by far the best in my opinion!

Two things to note: No photos allowed and no children either (too many objects are out in the open and they want to preserve without babysitting your child - makes sense to me!).

5/24/2011

One of my favorite art experiences. Classical realist paintings in a small venue.  They just finished a major remodel. Please, you didn't know this?

2/19/2010

I'd give it six or seven stars.  The Frick and the Neue Museum are my favorites in the city.

Sometimes the other museums are just too overwhelming.  The Frick is a world-class collection in a fascinating setting.  Just go.  It is SO worth it.

Go.

11/29/2011

This is one of the coolest museums I have ever been to.  The Picasso exhibit is great, with better information than most provide.  The home itself is truly spectacular.  I really wish they would let you tour the whole thing.  Can be done in less than 2 hours, far superior to the Guggenheim.  Kids under 10 are not permitted.

7/14/2009

Very impressive.  Great location.  Beautiful building.  Amazing collection.  A very pleasant experience.  

It's free for a few hours on Sundays. But I missed that and paid... (was it $10?)  I can't remember, but it was worth it.

This place is a gem, but I'm not sure if I can say it is hidden.  However, in a city with so many great museum options, this place probably doesn't get the cred it deserves.

Take a girl here and she will like you more than before.

11/8/2011

Go Frick the Old Masters on your trip to The Frick Collection. Glide through the Guilded Age as you roam from room to room of this former private residence.  Stroll through the schools with paintings by El Greco, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, Titian, & Renoir. And be sure to make a stop in the Living Hall to view my current favorite of the Collection - Giovanni Bellini's "St. Francis in the Desert."

2/24/2008

I couldn't be a total Philistine and only shop and not go to any museums while in New York.  So we came here on our last afternoon.  It had just snowed and was starting to rain and this made perfect sense!  It is a great collection of art to soak in and not be overwhelmed.  
Like the others before me have said, check your coat.

8/24/2009

Beautiful museum, AMAZING collection.

Perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Total gem on the UES.

I heart you Frick.

3/16/2009

It's called the Frick Collection and not a museum because it was Mr. Frick's private art collection. He picked out the vast majority of paintings, statues and decorative art.   He chose them because they pleased him and he enjoyed living w/ beautiful things.

Honestly, looking at Mr. Frick's former private home... he must have had a butt-load (or is it boatload?) of money. Seriously, his BM's must have been gold nuggets, because the home (exclusively) is just exquisite in terms of material, craftsmanship and location.

The cost of admittance is $17. The Met. Mus. of Art's suggested attendance price is $20. The Frick's attendance price seems a tad expensive when comparing the two in terms of cost, but the two are so different. You can spend time in the Frick. You can even stare and ponder the art work or Frick's wealth w/in 2-3 hours, easily.    You can't do that w/ the Met.

11/22/2010

Housed in the New York mansion built by Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919),
one of America's most successful coke and steel industrialists, are
masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art,
displayed in a serene and intimate setting.
An Acoustiguide audio tour is free with admission, offering recorded
information about the art on view through a hand held listening
device. The system provides up to three hours of material in English,
French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
This  museum offers free art instruction for middle and high school
students after school and on weekends. Students can paint, sculpt,
write or draw based on inspiration from the galleries. 4 week sessions
are free, but require registration. For the free art classes alone
they get 4 stars. (children under 10 are not allowed in the museum)
The Museum offers private tours. Because of the no young children's
policy this museum seems to be more intimate and quiet than other NYC
museums.

11/2/2008

This is my favorite Manhattan museum. I hate leaving this place. I've spent many days leisurely lounging and loitering here. Gorgeous house, extremely comfortable and cozy and relaxing. Amazing permanent collection of art. Great architecure. Phenomenal furniture. Great temporary exhibits. Great staff. Great gift shop. They give concerts here, I attend as many as I can -- Cecile Licad, Cedric Tiberghien, Alain Planes -- they're inexpensive, the space itself is very informal but elegant -- and if you can't get a ticket (the hall is small, they sell out quickly) they allow you to sit in the inner-courtyard where they play live the concert that's taking place (which is a wonderful experience in itself)...

8/4/2011

Brilliant collection of European art, frescoes, sculpture, furniture, etc. housed in a former industrialist's home located on Millionaire's Row. If you love European art this is a must see. What astounded me was learning how the Fricks lived WITH their art, incorporating priceless sculptures into their table scapes, for example. No "look but don't touch" or viewing the pieces from behind glass when they lived here - very cool. The home's architecture and grounds are quite impressive, too.

2/17/2011

Usually I only Yelp about restaurants, however after visiting the Frick Collection I felt the need to share!

Disclaimer: I am no museum buff, however this is now my new favorite museum in the city. It is a gorgeous old mansion with breath taking room after room. It includes pieces from Gainsborough, Bellini, El Greco, Vermeers, Jean-Honore Fragonard, and my favorite J.M.W. Turner. It is not only the mansion and the art hanging on the wall, but the beautiful rugs, tapestries, sculptures, tables, and other furnishings that bring the whole Frick Collection together, thereby making it  truly unique and impressive. My favorite rooms included the "resting room" and the indoor garden area (apparently not originally part of the mansion and was constructed after Frick's passing). Compared to some of the more popular museums, this one is manageable to get through without chaos and massive crowds (er, love you still Met). Also, if you're not afraid to get down right nerdy, be sure to grab the audio guide when you walk in. I loved it and it provided a brief history of each piece as well as really helped point out interesting components that may otherwise have been easy to miss.

I cannot wait to go back!

9/13/2006

Let me be the first to diss the Frick. It sucks. In my opinion, the artwork is boring, pretentiously presented, and unengaging in essentially all aspects. You'd best dress your classiest for a trip to the Frick. That garment bag-sheltered outfit you've been storing for one magical day? Take it out, put it on, wear it to the Frick. They still might look down their noses at you.

Student rates does not so much mean student-friendly. Okay, not hugely expensive, but give me a quarter and I can comfortably cruise the Met for hours. In here, that suspicious old woman employee will haunt your every footstep. If you near a painting to look at it and your shoes are not of high caliber, she will be there. If you were to touch or knock something, it would be the result of a paranoid and nervous twitch instantly developed because of the lurking museum workers.

I visited the Frick for an art history paper, and I took myself elsewhere to a different museum for the assignment. Sure, the house is nice. A few of the pieces are interesting. The Frick is just not worth the unnecessarily snobbish atmosphere.

7/10/2011

Ignore what they tell you. It's called the Frick Collection because it's Frickin' Amazing! Small museum but dense in content. I was speechless in the Fragonard Room.

10/14/2012

The Frick Collection is my favorite museum.  I love the collection of portraits, especially the woman in blue.  And if you get tired of walking around, the fountain room is a very relaxing place to sit down and recharge.  It's a smaller museum, you can see everything in 3 to 4 hours.  There is a nice gift shop, but no dining on the premises.  Also, an entrance to Central Park is a very short block away.  I definitely recommend visiting The Frick Collection!

8/18/2011

A beautiful place with a stunning collection of art.  With admission they provide a free audio device for self guided tours which is nice.   I will go back every time I'm in New York.

4/17/2009

I've always loved the Frick, as there's something very special about it.  It's amazing to think that it was one man's private collection and it was also his home.  The courtyard is my favorite part of the museum; it's really lovely!  The collection itself is wonderful and varied - so even though it's a small museum, you can't help but feel very satisfied after visiting.

3/1/2009

The Frick was a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Even though it was "pay what you wish" day, it wasn't terribly crowded. I didn't use the audio guides, but I'm sure they were helpful because the paintings are only labeled with the artist's name.

It's a small museum, but it's such a great eclectic mix--Goya, Stuart, Degas, Whistler; sculpture, portraits, furniture--that you feel like you're getting so much out of it.

The building used to be a private home, so it's very comfortable to wander around in and the exhibit flows organically in a circle around an enclosed courtyard with a beautiful fountain. The architecture is like another work of art, it adds something extra to the gallery.

I highly recommend checking this collection out when you want a little culture but don't want to be overwhelmed by six hours worth of art or massive crowds.

2/15/2010

Thanks to the Delaware Art Museum trustee who reminded me to bring our membership card.

What a great museum with great individual sound system.

We loved it and look forward to going again.

7/19/2011

Awesome collection in the Frick house! The Museum is actually his custom home built in the early 1900's to house this collection.  The  building is a real pleasure. You get a telephone looking device that tells you about each painting and it is included in the price of admission. Well worth the time.

7/1/2012

A wonderful museum with some great collections. An art museum with plenty to see without consuming your entire day or wearing you out walking through it.

4/15/2009

This is one of my all-time favorite places in NYC.  As a teenager I would come here regularly after school or on the weekend to escape the chaos of the city and relax by the fountain in the columned atrium.  Back then I think it was 50 cents or some ridiculously piddling amount for students to get in.  Now it's $5 for students, $15 for adults.  They now don't admit children under 10 and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  (Perhaps I started a trend of disaffected youth swarming to seek refuge in the calm, grand beauty of the Frick Collection. )  

Some of my favorite paintings are here: Rembrandt's "Polish Rider", Ingres's "Comtesse d'Haussonville", and a number of exquisite Corots and Vermeers, among others.  There are rooms with murals by Fragonard and many delightful Boucher miniatures.  The collection is eclectic in period and form.  Mr. Frick was an avid collector of not only paintings, but sculpture, furniture, books and various items of decorative art.  The atmosphere of the place is such a pleasure.  Visit during the middle of the week in the middle of the day for the best effect.

Regarding the collection's child-control policy, I would agree that ages 10 and up would benefit more from the exhibit and the mood would be seriously ruined if yowling brats were to run amok in the place.  The latter must have happened one time too many. I do think it's a pity that they are now excluding unaccompanied teens though, since they do charge them.

8/26/2008

Why can't men look at me the way the men in Fragonard and Boucher's  paintings look at those women? Is it because I don't wear corsets and rouge?

This is maybe my favorite museum in the world. Next to the Louvre and the Musee Jacquemart-Andre (which is very similar). Mainly because I really like paintings of pretty girls in pretty dresses. With names such as Whistler, Lawrence, Renoir, and Gainsborough, this museum certainly fits my taste perfectly.

The house itself is beautiful, and a very relaxing museum experience. It's small enough that it's manageable, but contains some real gems.

4/26/2008

You get a sense of what it was like to live in Henry Clay Frick's lovely home back in the early 20th century as they've left the original furnishings.  An imposing portrait of Mr. Frick, the steel magnate and former partner of Andrew Carnegie, still hangs in the library along with his impressive collection of first edition books and his view of Central Park.  Visitors are restricted to the ground floor of the house (unfortunately).  

As for the art collection, it is dominated by portrait paintings from European artists like Rembrandt, Van Meer, Goya, Van Dyck, El Greco, Holbein, and others.  I favor the portraits of pale European aristocrats in their elaborate costumes of velvet and lace.  Religious works are also common.  The Frick Collection is also known for its bronze sculptures, Limoges enamels, and French furniture.

There's a free audio tour but if you don't opt for it, most of the paintings don't have descriptions (beyond the name of the painter).  This definitely bothered me as I don't like or have the patience for an audio tour, but prefer to read about the pieces that catch my interest.  

I do applaud their policy of not allowing kids 10 and under inside.  No strollers and screaming babies to worry about.  Plus they didn't forget the all important gift shop.  On Sundays, you can pay what you wish from 11 AM - 1 PM.

12/12/2008

What an amazing collection, and what a fabulous building.

But I do question their "no children under 12 allowed" policy.