A Design for Continuity and Change: The Frick Collection

The Frick Collection, once the residence of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, is a cherished New York City art institution known for its remarkable rooms and exceptional Old Master artworks. Designed by Thomas Hastings, the original Fifth Avenue mansion was completed in 1914 and served the Frick family until 1931. In 1935, John Russell Pope expanded the mansion, adding a library that is now the esteemed Frick Art Research Library, transforming it into a public museum. The renovation aimed to respect the Frick's architectural heritage and tranquil ambiance while introducing new space and essential infrastructure. Visitors can now enjoy the institution's improved functionality, and advanced climate controls ensure the preservation of the collection and the house for future generations. As Barry Bergdoll notes, the restored and expanded Frick Collection masterfully addresses the needs of a 21st-century museum, ingeniously solving local issues and accommodating new functions while maintaining its unchanged appearance.