The Frick Returns April 13, 2025

After a $220 million dollar renovation I would look good too. The Frick Museum reopens to the public this week after a five year absence. I have kept my membership thru these years as their collection (or some of it) was exhibited at the old Whitney (now called the Breuer and soon to be home of Sothebys – whew! It is hard to keep track). We had the opportunity to visit a week ago for Member’s Preview. Long story short – it was money well spent. After 100 years visitors are allowed to ascend their glorious staircase and see where the Frick family lived and slept. The collection of art is glorious. They have three Vermeer’s, Rembrandt’s, Whistlers, Ingres and so much more. They also have art that I find meh. I have never been a fan of Fragonard (girls on swings) type of art. There are several wonderful articles that appeared this past week from writers more talented than me for you to read. I found the articles about the artisans who worked on the renovation fascinating. My pet peeve has always been when museums do not allow photos. I never understood those silly rules. Flash cameras have gone the way of the steam engine yet those silly rules still exist. The Neue Museum and The Frick are two of the museums in the city who have that rule. However – for the previews, they allowed as much photography as you wanted to shoot. I am not sure if this rule has been lifted or if it was only for the previews. The other rule that I do like is that the Frick still does not admit children under 10. So that means no strollers (and that’s a good thing). Their cafe will be open soon. I encourage you to visit this glorious home and see how they lived in the Gilded Age.