Giovanni Bellini, “St. Francis in the Desert,” oil on poplar panel, ca. 1475-78
The Frick Collection
1 East 70th St. at Fifth Ave.
Friday, July 22, free, 6:00 – 9:00 (children over ten welcome)
212-288-0700
www.frick.org
Every Sunday morning from 11:00 to 1:00, admission to the Frick Collection is pay-what-you-wish instead of the normal $18 to experience one of the city’s genuine treasures. But this Friday, the Frick is extending its hours, as the “Summer Night” program will open its doors for free from 6:00 to 9:00 for a special after-hours viewing of “In a New Light: Bellini’s ‘St. Francis in the Desert,’” which has recently undergone infrared reflectography, leading to new insight into the meaning behind the masterpiece, as well as “Turkish Taste at the Court of Marie-Antoinette.” The evening will also include the class “Summer Sketch: Bellini and Botany,” taught by Liz Insogna in the Garden Court; the gallery talks “Introduction to the Frick” at 6:15, 7:15, and 8:15 in the West Gallery and “Rooms of the Frick” at 6:45, 7:45, and 8:45 in the Dining Room; the curatorial presentations “Marie-Antoinette’s Turkish Dreams” by Charlotte Vignon at 6:30 and 7:00 and “Bellini Multimedia: Screening” by Denise Allen at 7:30; and five-minute live performances of “Danse Arabe” by Andreas Heise and Kristen Stevens in the Music Room at 8:15, 8:25, 8:35, and 8:45. Although there are no reservations or tickets needed, there are likely to be long lines for everything, so get there early.