This fall and winter, art enthusiasts visiting Frick Madison, the temporary home of The Frick Collection, are in for a treat as they witness the rare reunion of two Renaissance masterpieces that have been apart for over four centuries. Giorgione’s Three Philosophers, on a rare loan from Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, will be showcased alongside the Frick’s beloved St. Francis in the Desert by Giovanni Bellini.
What makes this exhibition even more special is the fact that both paintings were once owned by the same Venetian collector, Taddeo Contarini. During an opening preview, the exhibition received the visit of the Consul General of Italy in New York, Fabrizio Di Michele.
The reunion of these two works, displayed together for the first time in centuries, marks a fitting conclusion to the Frick’s temporary residency at Frick Madison. Ian Wardropper, the Director of the Frick, expresses his delight at presenting this once-in-a-lifetime installation, acknowledging the enormous amount of commentary these complex Renaissance paintings have garnered over the years.
The exhibition, titled “Bellini and Giorgione in the House of Taddeo Contarini,” curated by Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, delves into the joint history of the two paintings. Scholars propose that Giorgione’s Three Philosophers was likely commissioned by Contarini as a companion to Bellini’s St. Francis in the Desert. The paintings seem to have resided in Contarini’s palazzo for most of the sixteenth century before being separated.
Salomon emphasizes the significance of Taddeo Contarini’s role as a collector and the reunion of these two paintings, bringing an important part of Contarini’s collection back to life. Contarini, a Venetian noble, is best known for owning these two masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance painting, and the exhibition sheds light on his elusive figure.
To celebrate this extraordinary exhibition, Frick Madison is hosting a final free community evening, Gray-Krehbiel Open Night, on February 2, 2023. The event will feature programming inspired by Bellini and Giorgione in the House of Taddeo Contarini, allowing visitors to explore the galleries and the reading room of the Frick Art Reference Library.
Accompanying the exhibition is a book titled “Bellini and Giorgione in the House of Taddeo Contarini,” authored by Xavier F. Salomon. The book, published by The Frick Collection in association with D Giles Ltd., London, presents new research exploring the origins of the paintings and re-evaluates their places in the collection of Taddeo Contarini.
The exhibition is generously funded by various sponsors, including David and Julie Tobey, Ambassador and Mrs. W. L. Lyons Brown, and the Consulate General of Italy in New York. The accompanying book, available for pre-order, features 35 color illustrations and provides a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding these Renaissance masterpieces.
As Frick Madison’s temporary residency draws to a close, the historic buildings of The Frick Collection undergo renovation and enhancement. The comprehensive upgrade, designed by Selldorf Architects, aims to preserve the institution’s architectural legacy while providing unprecedented access to the original 1914 residence of Henry Clay Frick. The Frick Collection is set to reopen on East 70th Street in late 2024, offering visitors a renewed and enriched experience.
