New York’s Frick Collection Set to Reopen in Spring After Renovations
**The Frick Collection Set to Reopen its Historic Mansion in April 2024 After Four-Year Renovation**
New York City’s Frick Collection, known for its impressive array of European fine and decorative arts, is set to reopen its historic mansion on East 70th Street in April 2024, following a four-year renovation. The museum, which had temporarily relocated its collections to the Breuer building during the renovation, is returning to its original mansion on Fifth Avenue—a structure deeply tied to the legacy of industrialist and philanthropist Henry Clay Frick.
### A Project that Balances Tradition with Modernity
The renovation of the Frick mansion has been an extensive endeavor, with architecture firm Selldorf Architects at the helm. Annabelle Selldorf and her team aimed to bring the beloved institution into the 21st century while respecting its Gilded Age charm.
The museum had initially announced plans to reopen in 2024 back in early 2022, but opted to take extra time to complete additional restoration work, particularly on the building’s facades, aligning the project with both its historical significance and a high-quality finish.
According to a museum spokesperson, the extended timeline was necessary to ensure the best possible results. “It’s always difficult to predict the timing of projects of this scale. It’s been important to us that the project not be rushed, as we want to achieve a standard of outstanding quality.”
### Restoration and Expansion for Greater Public Engagement
Originally built in 1914 as Frick’s personal residence, the mansion has been a public museum since 1935, growing to house a collection of over 1,800 works of European art, including paintings by Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Goya, and Vermeer. The renovation has sought to respect this legacy while preparing the museum for future generations.
Some of the major improvements include:
– **Accessibility Enhancements**: The restored mansion will feature increased accessibility throughout its galleries, making it easier for all visitors to navigate the space.
– **New Educational and Conservation Areas**: The expansion includes new spaces for both public education programs and critical conservation work.
– **Additional Gallery Space**: The project has added several new gallery areas, allowing for more temporary exhibitions and increasing the range of the permanent collection that can be on display at any given time by 25%.
– **Opening the Mansion’s Second Floor**: For the first time, the entire second floor of the mansion will be accessible to the public, showcasing smaller-scale sculptures and paintings from the Renaissance to the Impressionist period.
These updates mean that more of the Frick’s collection will be on view than ever before, enhancing visitor engagement and providing more opportunities to explore the museum’s depth.
### Upcoming Exhibitions: A Look at the Inaugural Season
The reopening of the mansion will celebrate both its historical roots and its future with an exciting line-up of inaugural exhibits.
The first major exhibit will focus on rarely-seen drawings, fragile works on paper that date from the 15th through 19th centuries, by luminaries such as Edgar Degas and Francisco Goya. These works will be displayed in the newly refurbished first-floor Cabinet Gallery until the summer—a rare treat for art aficionados due to the delicate nature of the pieces.
Following this, starting in June, the Frick will feature a particularly special exhibition of its three prized Vermeer paintings, including “Mistress and Maid” (1664–67), offering visitors a unique opportunity to see these works together in the newly reconfigured gallery spaces.
Additionally, Ukrainian-born artist Vladimir Kanevsky has been commissioned to present porcelain sculptures that will be displayed in both first-floor galleries and on the mansion’s second floor, weaving contemporary artistry with the museum’s classical settings.
### A Celebration of Art and Music
Rounding out the Frick’s reopening, the museum has announced that it will host a week-long festival of classical and contemporary music, beginning on April 26, 2024. A tradition long associated with the Frick Collection’s cultural programming, the festival will offer live performances in various galleries, further enriching the visitor experience.
### A Historic Home for Art
The mansion, located at the corner of East 70th Street and Fifth Avenue, is as much a work of art as its contents. Designed by Carrère and Hastings in 1914, the structure’s architecture boasts classical lines, indicative of the Gilded Age’s opulence. The restoration carefully preserves these design elements while ensuring it meets contemporary standards for safety and accessibility.
Henry Clay Frick, who amassed wealth as a steel industrialist, left behind a significant cultural legacy through his personal art collection, which became the foundation of the Frick Collection. In his will, Frick stipulated that his residence and collection should become a public gallery to be enjoyed by all. Since its opening to the public in 1935, it has continued to grow and enrich the cultural fabric of New York