West Gallery


Mr. Frick’s collection had grown so large that it required a grand viewing space. In place of a ballroom, a Picture Gallery was created and occupied the most commanding location in the house. The gallery’s design recalls those of English country houses and the royal salons of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In the remodeling of the original house in the 1930s, the appearance of the renamed West Gallery was altered by the addition of the large arched portals at either end.

Decorative Art in the West Gallery

Except for the modern sofas, some of the furniture in this room, which was purchased between 1915 and 1918, dates in part from the Italian Renaissance, predominantly from the 16th century. The eight elaborately carved walnut cassoni served as storage chests. The large center table bears the arms of the Giovanelli family of Milan and Venice. The eight folding armchairs, of a type called Savonarola chairs, recall a form of backless seating produced in antiquity.

Archival Photographs

  • photo of of room under construction, with lumber, ladder to skylight, circa 1913

    Construction of the West Gallery, 1913

  • photo of gallery with paintings, sculptures on tables, closed doorway, and partial skylight, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery with paintings, sculptures on tables, skylight, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery with paintings, sculptures, couches and chair, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery with paintings, sculptures on tables, and skylight, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • gallery with paintings, seating, table with sculptures, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photos of gallery with paintings, seating, sculpture on tables, and skylight, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery with paintings, skylight, tables with sculptures, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery with paintings, seating, tables, sculptures, skylight, circa 1927

    West Gallery, 1927

  • photo of gallery, with paintings and sculptures covered in white protective cloth, circa 1933

    West Gallery during construction of The Frick Collection, 1933

  • photo of gallery with paintings, skylight, tables, sculptures and barrier roping, circa 1935

    West Gallery, 1935

  • photo of gallery with paintings with barrier roping and skylight, circa 1935

    West Gallery, 1935?

  • photo of gallery with barrier roping, paintings, tables, sculptures and skylight, circa 1942

    West Gallery, looking east, 1942

  • photo of gallery with sculptures on tables, paintings, skylight and barrier roping, circa 1942

    West Gallery, looking west, 1942

  • photo of empty gallery, with skylight, and table, circa 1952

    West Gallery, 1952

  • photo of gallery with paintings, centered table, sculptures, rope boundary circa 1969

    West Gallery, 1969

  • photo of gallery with skylight, paintings, sculptures on table, and rope barriers, circa 1969

    West Gallery, 1969