Frick Collection unveils first special exhibition in its newly refurbished mansion next week.
Hop on over to the Upper East Side! After a two-month lull, the Frick Collection reopened on April 17, 2025, and now, a brand-new exhibition, "Vermeer's Love Letters," is set to captivate visitors from June 18. In these grand, awe-inspiring spaces, you'll get a deeper understanding of the master Vermeer, whose The Mistress and the Maid was the last piece collected by museum founder Henry Clay Frick before his passing.
This special exhibition marks the first show in the museum's original spaces in five years, and it's housed within the new special exhibition galleries designed by Selldorf Architects. Alongside this, you'll find updated attractions like a 220-seat theater and the chic Café Westmoreland with 50 seats.
"Vermeer's Love Letters" will present two masterworks side-by-side for the first time: "The Love Letter from the Rijksmuseum," originally showcased in Amsterdam, and "The Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid," exhibited in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. The exhibition as a whole aims to shed light on letter writing and correspondence in the context of the seventeenth century.
Axel Rüger, the director of the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Collection, stated, "This is the first exhibition in New York City since 2001 dedicated to works by Vermeer, one of the world's most revered artists."
After immersing yourself in the Frick Collection, don't forget to check out what other museums and galleries in New York City have on offer this summer. Here are some other must-see exhibitions in town:
- Melissa Joseph's "Tender" at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring works centered on intimacy and vulnerability (June 6 – November 2, 2025).
- Amy Sherald's "American Sublime" at the Whitney Museum of American Art, showcasing nearly 50 paintings by the contemporary portrait artist (April 9 – August 10, 2025).
- "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exploring Black menswear through fashion, politics, and poetry (Now through October 26, 2025).
- Wreath Interpretations at the Arsenal Gallery, featuring over 30 handcrafted wreaths by employees, artists, and designers (Now through the summer).
These exhibitions cater to a diverse range of artistic and cultural tastes across the city throughout the summer of 2025. So, gear up for a summer filled with art and culture. See you there!
Dates: June 18 - August 31, 2025The Frick Collection: 1 East 70th StHours: Wednesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm; Friday 11am-9pm
Did you know? The Frick Collection also houses a hidden 1914 bowling alley in its basement!
During your visit to the Frick Collection, make sure to take a break at the home-and-garden-style Café Westmoreland after exploring the "Vermeer's Love Letters" exhibition. To complement your cultural immersion, consider visiting other exhibitions such as "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which runs until October 2025.
As you immerse yourself in the world of Vermeer this summer, don't forget that the Frick Collection also has a historical secret: a 1914 bowling alley hidden in its basement.
