My Trip to the Frick

           Last week, my class, New York and the Visual Arts went to the Frick Museum on the Upper East Side. Johannes Vermeer is one of the renowned artists whose work graces the halls of the Frick.  He is known as one of the best Dutch painters of the Gilded Age. There are only 34 Vermeer paintings in the world and the Frick holds three of them, Girl Interrupted At Her Music,” “Mistress and Maid,” as well as “Officer and Laughing Girl.” He was known for his rendering of light, as seen in “Mistress and Maid,” for example, gleaming from the mistress’ pearl jewelry.

collections.frick.org

            In 2013, Tim Jenison, a computer graphics expert, chose to paint a Vermeer painting using just a mirror on a stick. His friends, Penn and Teller made a movie called “Tim’s Vermeer.” In the film, Jenison figures out a way to use technology to replicate Vermeer’s painting “The Music Lesson.” I think that the film adds to the definition of what art is as a whole. When I look at Vermeer’s work, I do not look at it with the technical mindset of Jenison, but rather I focus on Vermeer’s use of lighting and his attention to detail in his paintings. “Tim’s Vermeer” does not infiltrate my experience of seeing a Vermeer painting, but rather opens my mind to the capacities of modern technology. Thus, the film does not turn Vermeer’s work into a transcription machine.

http://collections.frick.org/

            One of the first paintings I saw in the Frick, “Portrait of a Man in a Red Cap” is by one of my favorite artists, Titian. It is one of Titian’s early works. Titian paints a man in a red cap dressed in lavish garments, lined what appears to be fur. The man stares into the distance, in deep thought, giving the painting a contemplative mood. Additionally, Titian’s play with light over the surface accentuates and highlights the man’s features. The man’s attire demonstrates his abundant wealth.

The Frick museum is internationally recognized for its Old Master Paintings in addition to its European sculpture as well as decorative arts. I strongly suggest you visit it and explore the wonderful art it has to offer.