Garden Court, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
South Hall, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Pixis Light Detail, South Hall, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Living Hall, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Library Gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Enamels Room, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Nicholas Venezia
Garden Court, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of Pixis Light, Garden Court, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Reception Hall, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: xxxx
Breakfast Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of Pixi Lights, Breakfast Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: xxx
Boucher Anteroom, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Ceramics Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of Ceramics Room Chandelier, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of the Pixis Lights, Ceramics Room Chandelier, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of restoration process for Ceramics Room Chandelier, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York.
Gold-Grounds Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Walnut Room Chandelier, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Walnut Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Detail of Walnut Room Chandelier, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Walnut Room, new second-floor gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Frick Art Research Library Reading Room, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
The Frick Collection
New York, NY
The Frick Collection reopened in April 2025 after a multi-year renovation and enhancement project—the most comprehensive upgrade since the museum first opened to the public in 1935. Designed by Selldorf Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle, and lighting design by L’Observatoire International, the project modernized infrastructure, expanded galleries, and improved accessibility while respecting the mansion's historic character. The initiative introduced state-of-the-art lighting, improved climate control, and opened second-floor rooms to visitors for the first time in The Frick Collection. The five-year project addressed critical infrastructure while preserving what makes The Frick unique: an intimate, domestic setting for encountering masterworks.
As part of the renovation, Aurora Lampworks restored 179 historic light fixtures across the museum. Over four years, each fixture was carefully deinstalled, documented, and transported to Aurora's Brooklyn workshop. Working closely with The Frick’s Conservators, our team cleaned away decades of accumulated dirt and dust and stabilized delicate finishes. Rewiring of the fixtures met contemporary safety standards while respecting their historic construction.
Beyond restoration, Aurora discreetly integrated miniature LED spotlights into many of the chandeliers to provide precise illumination on artworks without disrupting the fixtures' historic appearance. The integration balanced conservation principles with modern technology, providing energy-efficient lighting that enhances visitors' experience of the collection.
Take a look here at how we approached the restoration of these Frick fixtures!