On this past trip to NYC for a wedding, we decided to explore the lesser known gems of the city. Everybody visits the Met and the MOMA for obvious reasons, and you absolutely must if you have at least half a day to a day to dedicate to each. But if you are short on time or if you have already visited the other two, try these three concise but excellent collections.
The Frick Collection
Typically, when I reflect upon paintings I have seen in person, I might remember the museums where they reside, but never the specific halls or galleries that display them. That’s where The Frick Collection is unique. All the artworks are displayed in the former residence of Mr. Frick and his wife, a magnificent mansion on the famed Fifth Avenue. Each piece is still displayed in the exact room and on the exact wall or cabinet that Mr. Frick intended it to back in the early 1900’s. You can find masterpieces anywhere from El Greco to Bruegel to Vermeer. There are also many interesting decorative artworks and period furniture to be seen in-situ. With the exception of a sculpture collection, The Frick satisfied all my desires for an art museum and more. Okay, maybe they could also use a few more benches for visitors with sore feet…
There are no description plaques next to the artworks so be sure to grab an audioguide, which provides great background info to the pieces as well as the history of how they came into the possession of Mr. Frick. We spent over 2 hours in the museum, which wasn’t enough time to listen to every audio description but was enough to enjoy the whole collection. Photography is not allowed except in the courtyard but you can find images of the entire collection on their website. I was very sad to (be forced to) leave.
The Cloisters
A branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is a building complex modeled after convents and cloisters from Medieval Europe, which hosts art and architecture from that time period. It’s a lovely walk through the Fort Tryon Park to reach the Cloisters from the nearest subway station. The park runs along the Hudson River and boasts interesting plants, rock formations, and trails.
The museum is located on top of a hill in the northern portion of the Fort Tryon Park. The fact that it is in the form of a convent blends all the religious artworks perfectly into the surrounding. What’s most impressive is that real architectural elements, such as columns, walls, murals, and stain glass windows, from actual European Medieval religious buildings, are built into the museum building itself. For example, the fresco on the domed ceiling of the Fuentidueña Chapel that was transported from Spain. How does one do that?!?
Besides the famed paintings, we found a couple of things particularly interesting. One is a narwhal tusk that stands in the corner of the Unicorn Tapestries Room. Medieval people sold these tusks as unicorn horns for supposed magical powers. The tapestries all depict scenes of Medieval men hunting and caging unicorns. What is it with humans that want to kill and trap all things beautiful, be it real or mythical? Towards the end of the galleries, we encountered a Virgin and Child sculpture with the sassiest attitude. I bet this Mary was a strong, independent woman who took no crap from nobody.
The Guggenheim
Now we didn’t actually visit the Guggenheim on this trip but did a couple of years ago. I have to admit I’m not as big of an enthusiast for contemporary art, but I was impressed by the Frank Lloyd Wright designed building itself. The entire interior is an open and continuous gallery that ramps all the way up to the domed ceiling. If you choose to take the stairs, it reflects the spirals of the outer galleries, but in the shape of triangles. The museum constantly rotates new and thought-provoking exhibitions, so if contemporary art and architecture are your things, put this place on your list!
Compared to the overwhelming collections at the Met and MOMA, these three museums have fewer crowds, are more intimate and are easily digestible in a couple of hours. If I had to pick just one, I have to say the Frick is my favorite for its collection as well as the setting!
While NYC is not a recurring destination for us by choice, we always find ourselves in The City, as New Yorkers call it, every couple of years. Who knows what we will discover next time?
C.