Paintings from the Frick Collection

Every once in a while there is an art book that exceeds one's expectations: Paintings from the Frick Collection, 1990, is one of those books. The book is oversized at 13x10.5 and many of the reproductions fill the space, with some even bleeding off the page into double page fold-outs. Although I have not visited the museum first hand this books inspires me to put such a visit at the top of my list when next visiting New York. There is just enough information accompanying each piece without overwhelming the artwork. The ONLY disappointment with this book is that the 154 color plates makes one wish for more of the same. I was able to purchase my used copy at only $12 (including shipping) -- which is an absurdly good price for such a quality product.

A truly remarkable, beautiful volume. The Frick has always been one of my favorite 4 museums in the world and now having moved to pennsylvania miss it dearly. I used to go atleast once a month. Now this volume lets me relive some of the greatest times w/ such beautiful, powerful art. I own over 500 art volumes and this is in the top 5.

The Frick collection is one of the most wonderful private collections in the US. This wonderful "villa" on the corner of 5th ave. and 70th st. on Central Park East in Manhattan, once belonged to the steel and railroad tycoon Henry Clay Frick, is house to his amazing art collection. The paintings at the Frick collections are invariably of the highest quality, including masterpieces by Duccio di Buoninsegna (panel from the "Maesta`"), Giovanni Bellini (the unforgettable "St Francis in the desert", detail is also on the cover), Holbein, Tiziano, Rembrandt, complete rooms by Boucher and Fragonard, and many many more (Whistler, Watteau, one feels almost guilty by not mentioning them and others...). A museum book should provide luminous access to the museum exhibits, both for those who haven't visited the museum and want a first acquaintance with it, or those who visited it and want a wonderful reminder. This book delivers the goods in the shape of wonderful and vividly colourful reproductions, accompanied by succinct descriptions. It's always a pleasure to go back to this book.