The Easel

Archives: London Review of Books

30th September 2025

Enthusiastic about Pictures

Following its $330m renovation, the history-oriented back story to New York’s Frick Collection. To turn his family home into a public museum, Frick followed the example of London’s Wallace Collection. Having discovered the Old Masters, he bought so rapidly that dealers allowed him to trade-in superseded acquisitions. Renovation has allowed the Collection to display more of its decorative arts objects. Frick most liked buying paintings though, saying “you can draw your dividend daily”.