NYC museums: Frick and Cloisters
 

These have ended up on my maybe list on a number of trips to NY. Eventually I look at the website and see: medieval/religious art., not our cup of tea. Is there any reason I should reconsider?

~Liz

no.

I have photo over my desk of a hand carved rosary bead that is an extraordinary example of obsession, craft, and art which is found at the Cloisters. Of course, art is more than its subject.

Both of these museums are almost as much about the setting as about the art featured there.

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens is literally a group of European religious buildings purchased by the Rockefeller family and reassembled into this museum complex. Set in a park on one of the highest points of Manhattan, from there you can see majestic views of the Hudson River, the Palisades of New Jersey, as well as the gardens and medieval art collection, including the famous Unicorn tapestries. In fact, John D Rockefeller purchased a section of the Palisades so that the view from the Cloisters would never be marred by commercial development.

http://www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pal..._(Hudson_River)

The Frick Collection is set in the mansion home of Henry Clay Frick and a chance to see art in an opulent home setting of the early 20th century rather than on museum walls.

http://www.frick.org/collection/introduction.htm

I was awed by the Cloisters the first time I went there--fabulous park setting overlooking NJ palisades, reconstructed Romanesque and Gothic buildings, stained glass, quiet and uncrowded. Years later, after I had been a tourist in France and Spain, it paled. So, I'd recommend it as an introduction to Medieval art for anyone who hasn't seen the Cluny Museum in Paris or the Museum of Catalan Art in Barcelona. But skip it if Medieval art and architecture don't appeal, especially since it is way off the beaten tourist path, many miles from central Manhattan (it is a branch of the Met, so one ticket admits you to both on the same day).

The Frick, right in the middle of the Museum Mile, is a lovely little museum showcasing the excellent taste of one robber baron. More broadly appealing, I'd guess.

These are two NYC gems.

My favorite is the Frick Collection--a delightful experience in the 5th Avenue mansion of a steel (robber) baron.

If you have the time and appreciate Medieval art, The Cloisters has a beautiful setting at the hard-to-get-to north end of Manhattan Island.

I have yet to get to the Cloisters but want to go as I hear the setting is beautiful and they have the famed Unicorn Tapestries. http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/uni...transcript.htm
The New Leaf Cafe nearby is also supposed to be lovely.

The Frick is many NYers' favorite museum. It doesn't require a big investment of time and it's just a gorgeous place that shouldn't be missed. There are loads of famous paintings but the building/setting is just awesome.

The Frick is our favorite NYC museum. I don't remember it being religious.

He built rooms in his home to house his collection.

Really a very worthwhile couple of hours.

Two of my favorite museums in Manhattan, and if you can do both, then do so.

Even if you're not into medieval art and tapestries, the setting of the Cloisters alone is enough to make it worthwhile. You can take the A train or the # 4 bus (a long ride).

The Frick is wonderful not only for the collection, but b/c the collection is housed in the owner's 5th Av. mansion, with beautiful gardens to boot.

The Frick isn't about religious art, but it is the best small art museum in NYC by a mile. One of the huge advantages of a visit is that it includes artphone, the recorded explanation of all the masterpieces. If one had time for just one short 2-hour museum visit in New York City, this is the museum I'd recommend because of the setting and because virtually every work here is a masterpiece. You'd see more modern art at MOMA, but this sort of distills the best of what the Met has to offer into a smaller, bite-size package (aside from the modern works, of course).

If you want to see Fort Tryon Park, then the Cloisters is great. It has one of the most beautiful settings of any museum in NYC, and on a beautiful day the views of the Hudson alone are worth going up there. I'm not a huge fan of religious art, but I do love the Cloisters, but it's a place to linger and soak in the atmosphere and scenery. If you don't want to do that, then it's not worth the schlep. Don't even think of doing the bus, though. I did that, and it took 2 hours.

I love the Cloisters and highly recommend it but if you are actively avoiding medieval art and architecture, you might want to skip this one. I was thrilled to find the Unicorn Tapestries and loved the setting of this unique museum.

If you've been to Europe and been inside cathedrals, etc. there, then the Cloisters will probably not add that much to your experiences. It is mostly about European Medieval religious art, of which you can also get your fill at the Metropolitian Museum of Art itself in a more centrally located area.

OTOH, I have to agree with suggestions that you choose the Frick over the Cloisters. Doug's post is right on and do get the headphones.

If I recall, you're in the Philadelphia area. The Frick is somewhat akin to the Barnes Foundation - they're really not comparable, the similiarity being that each has a great collection of (nonreligious) art.

Thanks all!

Yes, LOVE the Barnes here in Phila.! I think we'll give the Frick a try.

We've been to many museums, here in the US and in Europe...just know by now that some things bore me to tears.

~Liz

I just came across this website: http://hiddenny.wordpress.com/

The top post is on some smaller museums in NYC - if you want to pass on Frick and Cloisters. But I've been to both and they're worth seeing. But the ones the site mentions seem to be cool alternatives.

Took a look at the "hidden ny" post. I've been to three of the five museums there:

--the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is great, but it's wise to make reservations for the tour you want to go on ahead of time.

--the Museum of Sex is very offbeat and interesting, but given its subject matter, not for everyone.

--the Skyscraper Museum is arguably the worst NYC Museum I've ever been to. Small collection, confusingly presented and labeled (or not labeled in several cases). Most any other NYC option will be an improvement.

If one is interested in a good-sized list of NYC attractions large and small, would definitely recommend a search at Fodor's or Frommer's website on NYC attractions for ideas. There are many good options at both places.

We're back from NYC, and we did go to the Frick. Glad we did, a great small museum, and the free audio quide was great.

Thanks, all!

~Liz