The Frick Collection is housed in the neo-Classical mansion built by Henry Clay Frick in 1913–14. Set back from Fifth Avenue by an elevated garden and guarded by three large magnolia trees, the estate is an art sanctuary. Inside are 16 galleries filled with masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art, including portraits by Rembrandt and Valésquez, exceptional 18th-century French furniture and Sévres porcelain, and the masterworks of Bellini, El Greco, Holbein, and Titian.
For those with a special interest, the Frick Collection recently gained a bequest of 25 clocks and 14 watches dating 1500 to 1830. This small but immaculate collection is a quirky break—if you need it—from the staggering collection of big names (Corot, Degas, Goya, Turner, Vermeer, Whistler; the list goes on) that line the galleries.
The museum is not family oriented: it doesn’t admit children under 10, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Frick Collection Information
- Public Transportation: Very good (6 subway local to 68th Street, M1–M4 bus)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Museum Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.– 5 p.m., closed Mondays and holidays
- Library Hours: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.– 1 p.m., closed Sunday, holiday weekends, Saturdays in June and July, and throughout August. (Note: First-time researchers must bring a photo ID and arrive before 3 p.m. on weekdays or 11 a.m. on Saturdays.)
- Admission: Regular admission $15, seniors (62+) $10, students with valid identification $5; Sunday pay what you wish 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; group discounts should be made by telephone at least two weeks in advance at 212-288-0700 or by e-mail to groupvisits@frick.org
- Tours: Free—A 22-minute audio-visual program titled “The Frick Collection: An Introduction” is shown in the Music Room every hour on the half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Audio Tours: Free
- Membership: Individual membership is $60 annually and includes unlimited free admission for one person for one year, discounts on purchases at the Museum Shop, a subscription to the members’ magazine, and an invitation to the new-members’ reception. Discount memberships for students are $25; Non-Resident membership is $40 (member must reside beyond 100 miles from New York City)
- Other Benefits: Contributing Friend membership ($200/annual) gets you reciprocal admission to other museums. Sustaining Friend membership ($600/annual) gets you special visiting privileges and invitations to opening parties.
