Xavier F. Salomon

Xavier F. Salomon is the Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator of The Frick Collection, a post he assumed in January of 2014. More »

Cocktails with a Curator: Monet's "Vétheuil in Winter"

video still of Xavier Salomon and Monet's painting of a winter scene
Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon takes viewers through Claude Monet’s journey as an artist, focusing on Vétheuil in Winter, one of only four Impressionist paintings at The Frick Collection. 

Cocktails with a Curator: Chardin's "Still Life with Plums"

video still of Xavier Salomon and oil painting of plums

In this week’s episode of Cocktails with a Curator, join Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon as he explores the magical brushstrokes of the first still life painting to enter The Frick Collection—one that will be very familiar to devotees of this series. Acquired at the end of World War II by the museum’s trustees, Jean-Siméon Chardin’s “Still Life with Plums” is a beautiful example of the artist’s skilled portrayal of light refracted and reflected by everyday objects. Xavier has paired this episode with a Gin Martini with a twist.

Cocktails with a Curator: Bertoldo's "Pazzi Conspiracy" Medal

video still of Xavier Salomon and images of medals

In this week’s episode of Cocktails with a Curator, join Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon as he discusses the Pazzi Conspiracy, an attack on Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother, Giuliano, in the cathedral of Florence on April 26, 1478. This important event in Florentine history was commemorated in a convention-busting medal by Bertoldo di Giovanni, a “familiare” (favorite) of the Medici household. This week’s complementary cocktail is the Cardinale, so named because its dark red color evokes a cardinal’s vestments.

Cocktails with a Curator: Mughal Carpets

video still of Xavier Salomon and carpets

In this week’s episode of Cocktails with a Curator, examine the exceptional Mughal carpets—the only two objects at the Frick made in India—with Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon. These incredibly luxurious carpets were likely created during the reign of Shah Jahan, one of the greatest Mughal emperors and the builder of the Taj Mahal. Rarely on view, they will be on display at Frick Madison in early 2021. This week’s complementary cocktail is a Chai Martini.

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