Vol.83 New York Spots: 9 The Frick Collection

New York Spots: 9
The Frick Collection

There are many museums and galleries in New York. On “Museum Mile”,
Fifth Avenue between 80th and 104th Street, there are many famous
and luxury ones. Most of people who appeared in my blog as
“Fabulous New Yorkers” love The Metropolitan Museum of Art ,

The Frick Collection , which I love, is another favorite.

The museum is located at 70th and Fifth Avenue, with a lovely garden
facing the avenue.

Large magnolia trees stand
on each side, as if guarding the museum.
In the spring, the Magnolia blossoms are very beautiful.

The museum exhibits the art collection of coal magnate, Henry Frick
(1849-1919), in his Beaux Art limestone mansion in a home setting…
just as he lived.

Although Mr. Frick had a successful coal business, he also had
a partnership with Andrew Carnegie, who had a thriving iron and
steel conglomerate. (Andrew Carnegie, funded and gave his name
to Carnegie Hall). Together their business expanded, landing them both
at the top of the list of America’s wealthiest men

The way 19th century American millionaires lived is so amazing!
I sigh, just looking at the house and the art collection.
The stairs from the entrance to the second floor, are luxurious,
just like something in a movie.

Because the second floor is not open to the public, we can’t climb the stairs.
But that does not stop my impulse to want to climb those stairs and see
what the second floor looks like. The living and reception room on the
first floor are arranged with the Frick’s own furniture with such intimacy,
that we can imagine the lifestyle of the time.

My favorite place at The Frick is the courtyard at the entrance of the house.

Light from the skylight shines down on many green plants, placed around
a central pond with a fountain. I like to meditate there, sitting on one
of the stone benches in the courtyard, because I can close my eyes safely
here while listening to the play of the fountain.

Renowned art collector Henry Frick, collected many European paintings
and art objects. A William Turner (1775-1851) painting I love,
decorates a large hall. When I look at this painting, I feel like meditating.

When I look at the famous painting “Mother and Daughter” by Renoir
(1841-1919) and “Countess d’Haussonville” by Jean-Auguste Dominique
Ingres (1780-1867), a French neo-classical master who had a major influence
on Renoir, I feel as if the figures in them might wake up, step out of the
paintings and walk around the museum.

It is said that the position of the Countess d’Haussonville’s left hand
means meditation. That’s why I like to meditate, every time I visit this museum.

Besides paintings and bronze sculpture, there are many clocks of
various styles.

When I see such gorgeous clocks, I feel as if I’m going back in time to
the 18th or 19th century. Once in a while, it is good to spend, quiet
contemplative time here and forget the stress of modern life.