'The Frick Collection: Art, Architecture & Gilded Age Ambition' Webinar

Built by steel magnate Henry Clay Frick as both a grand residence and future museum, the Frick Collection stands as a lasting monument to one man’s vision of beauty. What drove this Gilded Age titan to amass such a remarkable trove of European masterpieces, and how did he transform his private mansion into a cultural landmark? It's time to uncover the art, architecture, and ambition surrounding one of New York’s most elegant and storied museums.

Join New York Adventure Club for an in-depth exploration of the Frick Collection, a refined Fifth Avenue institution where world-class European art meets Gilded Age grandeur, all within the walls of a meticulously preserved historic mansion.

Led by art historian and educator Sylvia Laudien-Meo, this virtual journey will include:

• A discussion of Henry Clay Frick’s biography, and how he became one of the most important American art collectors of the Gilded Age
• A close look at the Carrère & Hastings-designed mansion, its original function as a private home, transformation into a public museum, and recent renovation by Selldorf Architects and Beyer Blinder Belle

• An examination of the museum’s Rococo interiors, such as the Fragonard and Boucher Rooms, both originally commissioned by mistresses of King Louis XV
• A spotlight on Renaissance masterpieces, featuring works by Duccio, Fra Filippo Lippi, Giovanni Bellini, and Jan van Eyck
• A view into the Frick’s world-renowned portrait collection, showcasing artists like Holbein, Titian, Rembrandt, Goya, Ingres, and Whistler
• Highlights from the Impressionist holdings, including gems by Monet, Degas, and Manet
• A rare look at three extraordinary Vermeers, presented in one of the museum’s most intimate settings
• Details surrounding the major renovation and restoration of the museum, which wrapped up in June 2025 after five years and $330 million

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.

See you there, virtually!

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***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Sylvia

Sylvia Laudien-Meo is a freelance Art Historian who works in and around the city in various capacities, specializing on Modern and Contemporary art, with a strong focus on Public Art. She teaches art history at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been working as a museum educator at MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum for over many years, engaging visitors in conversation based, interactive art experiences of permanent collections and changing exhibitions.

For the Municipal Art Society, UFT, Brandeis Univ., and private clients, she has been touring the city for over 20 years, exploring art and architecture, parks, neighborhoods and history. Working in various different capacities gives her a unique opportunity to make intriguing connections and weave together the complex perspectives that make out the tapestry of our fascinating city.

SLM holds a Masters Degree in Art History (with minors in History and American Studies) from the Joh. Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, as well as a Tourism degree from the EST in Paris France.

Testimonials

"Timely information as the Frick is reopening. Good combination of art and architecture." -Jean

"Sylvia is my favorite presenter because of her enthusiasm and vast knowledge of a wide range of artistic genres, artists and history. Thank you Sylvia for another amazing presentation. I bought the Frick Collection guidebook for more information about each artwork, plus visited the Frick website for additional information." -Christine

"learned a lot! The presenter was very knowledgable and interesting. Overall, superb!! Sylvia is very intelligent and one of the better presenters!! Love her webinars !" -Lorraine

"Well presented and very educational" -Angella

"Presenter knowledgeable and lots of supporting pictures" -Christine

"It was wonderful to see the reopened Frick and parts of the collection" -Cindy

"Great info… way more than I could access on my own." -Ellen

"Lots of detailed info and remarks on the improvements and on the art. I enjoyed the presentation and look forward to visiting The Frick!" -Tony

"Good information, spoke at a good speed, and clearly. Good slides. It was excellent." -Dina

"Presenter was very informative and knowledgeable about topic. Also the images were interesting. She introduced paintings I never heard of." -Mary Beth

"Material covered, presenters knowledge, personable manner, confidence, great slide show, thorough as one can be in time allotted." -Cheryl

"Wonderful presenter. Great slides. Informative, and intersesting." -Denise

"Excellent background on the museum history and many of the artworks. Beautiful pictures of everthing with contrast between before and after renovations. I've been to the Frick and I learned so much that I missed in my visits - can't wait to go again" -Patricia

"Sylvia is the best." -Shoshana

"Liked seeing the before and after the renovation. And learning more about the provenance of the paintings. That was really cool and interesting to know. And also about the Frick family and industrial history." -Noelle

"Great info about the renovation of one of my favorite museums in NYC. Well paced, speaker answered lots of questions. Great presenter, very well informed, great attitude about audience questions." -Drew

"The pictures and the information were interesting!" -Ann

"slides were excellent...presenter was very knowledgeable" -Jacqueline

"The presenter was very well prepared and the slides were very informative." -Sondra

"I very much enjoyed that there was a history of the man, the building and some of the collection.... it was an ambitious amount of content :-)" -Paul

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Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment