Cocktails with a Curator: Bellini's "St. Francis in the Desert"

In the first episode of "Cocktails with a Curator," Xavier F. Salomon, Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator, hosts us for happy hour at his apartment. The subject of tonight's presentation is the Frick's beloved painting "St. Francis in the Desert," by Giovanni Bellini, and the complementary cocktail is the Manhattan.
To see this painting in detail, please visit our website: collections.frick.org/objects/39

[@bifeldman]

I have been of the opinion for many years that this Bellini is the finest painting in the Western Hemisphere.

[@billmcconville9980]

As a Franciscan I found the curator’s comments insightful. I have a copy of this painting in my room in the friary. He enriched my viewing of a painting I look at every day.

[@thomastallerico6340]

Still love them and still watch them.

[@davidmasello2035]

Bravo! That's a profound connection Xavier makes between the blossoming of life right now and the simultaneous taking away of it. I've always loved this painting, but I will now forever look at it differently and remember it as being emblematic of these times through which we are now living.

[@rc93013]

Thank you for your efforts in putting these videos together...I live in Santa Barbara CA but I was in NYC with my wife and daughters on Thursday March 12th when the city “locked down”. I had hoped to visit the Frick with my daughters that weekend but we had to leave Friday morning (two days early) due to COVID chaos. I have watched all four videos, thus far, with my family each Friday evening (cocktail in hand). You are providing us much joy and inspiration for dinner time conversation. Thank you! Wishing you and your loved ones health. RC

[@karenkovach3901]

This is what I always hope for when visiting a fine arts museum--a beautiful description of the work and the possible intention of the artist. But Xavier went a step farther by relating the painting to our current state of affairs and concerns to the Coronavirus that is surging through not just countries but continents. Thank you so much for the series. I look forward to enjoying them all.

[@philliphamilton3591]

Karen Kovach Thank you Karen, you perfectly expressed my own feelings and response to Xavier’s wonderful talk. Thank you both.

[@TheBearAspirin]

I thought the cocktail was going to be a Bellini LOL

[@karenfeuer-schwager2504]

I did not have a cocktail with you all. I participated only after my morning hike in the wilderness that surrounds my small town in Southern California.Everything that was said and the poem read, resonated and gave depth to my thoughts at the start of my summer day. THANK YOU for this enrichment Mr Xavier F. Salomon.

[@susanwalker4670]

Enjoyed this very much.

[@rowanmoody9444]

So many details in the painting that I had never noticed before! Bravo!

[@antonellaarzone7784]

Grazie, interessante e piacevole. Un arricchimento importante per queste nostre giornate tra le mura di casa. Un'iniziativa che cercheremo di proporre anche nei nostri Musei

[@marthaupton8458]

A painting of such affirmation of God’s gifts to us through nature and wonderfully explained by Mr. Salomon. Look forward to next week.

[@amherst88]

Thank you very, very much for posting these . . .

[@malfwb]

Thank you for this beautiful reflection on Bellini’s St Francis from the Frick, my favorite collection in my beloved New York City. You are helping us get through this very difficult time.

[@kerrycobb9245]

This was wonderful. Looking forward to the next one. Thank you for doing this.

[@tourphil]

The Washington Post of January 17, 2021, has a commentary by Sebastian Smee on this painting - which in turn led me to this video. So much free intellectual stimulation. Who could be bored or feel homebound during the pandemic? I’ve seen “St. Francis” at the Frick on more than one occasion. But I will look at it with a fresh eye on my next visit.

[@ryanmilton2643]

Xavier, thank you. This was unexpected! What a time in the world to step back and embrace the universal. PS: You are the doppleganger to my young brother who is also an accomplished artist.

[@susanhepburn6040]

Thank you very much, Xavier. It was so good to put this painting into a wider context. Very much appreciated.

[@ritat1]

This brought tears to my eyes! Thank you, Xavier, for your inspiring presentation. I learned so much about St. Francis (my grandfather, father and nephew share his name!). I llove how you relate the painting to current events. And I love Manhattans! (and I live in Manhattan!)

[@maureenserafini1949]

Thank you so much for your lovely explanation of this painting! I enjoyed your commentary & perspective and look forward to the next! I enjoyed visiting The Frick so much last year, such a beautiful home, now museum❤️

[@SusanLH]

Thank you for taking the time to create these talks. The power of the internet means that I am watching and learning from the second lock down in Melbourne Australia. I enjoy these for so many reasons: your soothing voice, your excitement and enthusiasm and of course the content.It's now early August and I'm two weeks into watching what I know will be an enjoyable and education experience. Thank you. :)

[@danielasansone8898]

Wonderfull. I saw this masterpiece last year with My family. Few days ago my sweet 19’s little girl died . She loved art and she enjoied so much the time at the Frick’s. We are italian . Thanks for all. Art make me feel closer to her.

[@IamDarthMuller]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[@ianfogden2606]

Beautifully delivered and informative "by which you cherish all you have made "... looking forward to this Friday

[@galleryguide9913]

A very beautiful and meaningful reflection of one of the great masterpieces of the collection. An articulate reflection of how painting of a Medieval Catholic saint of the Venetian Renaissance can have relevance on many levels beyond its original cultural context. Mr. Salomon has given us a rather engaging look a one of the fundamental purposes of art; that is to make us ask questions and to reflect on the existential meaning of our lives. Tibi gratias ago.

[@LutheranLiarNYC]

This is wonderful. Until next week! Oh, and thank you, dear Frick.

[@nuriapereira3395]

I applaud this initiative and I enjoyed it last Friday from my NY apartment, joined remotely by my friend from Spain. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks! Very powerful and moving.

[@christinemiles9077]

Thank you so much. Studied the painting many years ago and you opened my eyes. The poem was very helpful in understanding the background and relevance today.

[@debrapincus7267]

Excellent! Short, sensitive, bracing. Well done. Just the sort of thing to top off the day. Thanks Xavier. Debra Pincus

[@rjensen4951]

The Frick is my favorite NY museum. Thank you!

[@chadwickworldwide]

Thank you for this. Fascinating detail and story behind this painting.

[@michaelbaenen2388]

Thanks for this wonderful initiative which is witty without being snarky and sustaining without being pious. I've just made plans with a friend to have a virtual happy hour during the next installment. Go Frick!

[@judyleibrook3743]

The painting, your words - so appropriate for these times. Thank you. Meditation to follow.

[@donnamasi1406]

Thank you for expanding my knowledge and bring a few moments of peace into my living room. I miss my visits to all of the NYC museums. D.M.

[@alienalajna]

Now that I've seen it to the end - my cocktail a bit of Caffé Borghetti - I can confirm my first impression. I appreciate very much Professor Salomon's emphasis on the importance of humanity's place in nature, a point of view of great importance to me and which I share with him (and with St. Francis). Let me offer a recollection of about 50 years ago - one of the more vivid that I have from that time: around 1971, while a student at Columbia College, I took a class in drawing conducted by Professor David Lund. We usually spent three hours drawing from life, but one day Lund took the first half of our time to show and speak about Bellini's St. Francis in Ecstasy, as I believe he called it. With a large reproduction set on an easel, he held forth on the painting with both knowledge and veneration. He explained the details, and emphasized that, seen formally, the picture is a network of many intersecting triangles. More essentially, he showed how the painting is a triumph of power, all the more triumphant for its restraint.

[@belkysherrera9047]

It is an excellent initiative. I loved the time with this great painting. Thank you!

[@loreleivancouver6551]

This has been an erudite and entirely enlightening and insightful discussion of Bellini's painting of St. Francis in the Desert. It certainly reaffirms my Catholic upbringing and my own beliefs which remain steadfast and true to the Church and community via prayers and patience as we navigate our plight with this blight we face collectively. Thank you Xavier ~ I look forward to your next instalment.

[@carpenc1]

Thank you for doing this. Such a perfect choice for this time.

[@judithtogher628]

Thank you for this!

[@NEntv58]

An amazing picture from an amazing collection. How fortunate you must feel to be leading the effort down there.

[@stardresser1]

I adore this series and this man and his mission. It's phenomenal.

[@polinkoful]

Thanks for doing this! It's a great way to see the beautiful painting, learn its background, and feel connected to the community.

[@LizLesnick]

What a treat, thank you!

[@ikmarchini]

Quite wonderful. That St. Francis had a feeling for all nature is apparent. However, here he is clearly awaiting or praying for the stigmata. He even has a foot presented to receive it. I live in Spoleto and one of the reasons I moved here is for the union of nature and humanity. Scenes like this are still to be had today at every turn in Umbria with animals seen in front of crenellated fortresses. That Rocca can be found in almost every town. And this painting, like Bach's St. Matthew Passion, was created by a believer for believers, modern interpretations not withstanding. Thank you.

[@tahiragibson6407]

ikmarchini - I think it would have been presumptuous of the humble St. Francis to “await” the stigmata, assuming he was even aware there was such a thing before his experience of it. “Come on, Jesus, I deserve one! Give it to me! Here’s my foot, I’m waiting!”

[@judithpacht9304]

Thank you, Mr. Salomon, for helping us inhabit Bellini's St. Francis and his temporal desert, his loved animals and his celebration of our world with Brother Sun and Sister Moon -- the poem is magnificent. Looking forward to meeting The Polish Rider on Friday evening.

[@stuartbee5716]

Thank you for posting

[@123garryb]

Thank you. What a wonderful way to end the week.

[@cynthiacross5024]

Thank you. I'll look for the next episode.

[@elizabethmilligan7173]

So very grateful for this series - cheers!!

[@tombaird2584]

This is such a great idea! Thank you!!

[@PaulGeffen]

Beautiful! Just what we need today.

[@gilmorgenstern2498]

Very enjoyable, looking forward to next week's episode. One thing that would make this more meaningful for me would be if you would talk more about what it is I'm looking at but not seeing in the work itself as a lay person. Technique, composition, etc. Thanks!

[@hughcurtis4741]

Just loving this weekly podcast - thank you Xavier and how fabulous is the Frick!

[@peggymur1]

Lovely! Thanks so much! -Just perfect!

[@samanthamccloskey4299]

Just wonderful! Thank you so much!

[@elianegans1695]

Thank you Peter--this is truly an auspicious occasion. to hear you, to see the works of art and to drink the fabulous cocktail. Grazie, Merci..

[@slemay82]

Thank you for sharing your insights, and for drawing out so beautifully the connection between Bellini’s painting and our current reality. We hope you enjoyed your Manhattan and look forward to joining you again, virtually for now, and in person in front of the painting some day.

[@nangoodman5410]

What a wonderful way to enjoy the cocktail hour! Thank you! Hope this continues after we are no longer sequestered!

[@willyummiest]

What a great series! The Frick is one of my favorite museums. Mille grazie.

[@dianethomas1244]

Learned a lot listening to this, thoroughly enjoyed the isolation happy hour from Melbourne, Australia. Thank you. Look forward to the next Cocktails with a Curator.

[@lindsayli2438]

Thank you so much for this wonderful exploration. You have brought it to life. Wishing you good health, and I will look forward to next week's cocktail. Cheers!

[@tineseinen5998]

Thank You. You tell the story of this painting with such passion. I'm going to watch the other videos

[@kengoto5]

A wonderful commentary on this painting!! Xavier splendidly explains how to look at, and associate our life and world, with works of art.

[@IamDarthMuller]

Thanks so much for this.

[@chriswoods2647]

Excellent idea. Thank you for keeping us connected to and educated in the art of the Frick.

[@christinajackson8118]

Thank you for sharing. Lovely to take part from lockdown in North Wales!

[@sammonicuslux]

A beautiful and poignant meditation. Thank you very much!

[@sandraeugeni7606]

Wonderful presentation! I really enjoyed it, thanks so much.

[@danie4dunes]

This is such a wonderful series .. thank you very much. Informative and delightful. Thank you.

[@joanbegun9089]

Thank you for sharing your profound knowledge and adding so much to my appreciation of the writting of St Frances and this painting by Giovanni Bellini.

[@janefletcher8646]

Refreshing change ! Thank you for the tip .

[@paulandrejkovics5426]

Rachel and I are thrilled that you are doing these, Xavier. We look forward to more. Stay safe and enjoy your Manhattan

[@GM-zy8pv]

Thank you . Enjoyed all the sessions

[@sylviaturks1933]

Wonderful premiere! I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the next episodes. Thank you very much! Wishing you well from Germany!

[@benoitdeschasse2759]

Cheers ! 🍸 The Frick Collection definitely deserves a visit. Thank you so much ! Benoit from Paris

[@plasticbike]

i love this. someone should post a manhattan recipe. in advance. for those watching later, here is a basic, wonderful manhattan 2 oz Rye Whiskey (or Bourbon, if you like it sweet) .75 oz Sweet red vermouth (Dolin Rouge is a good, widely avail option) 1 -2 dashes Angostura bitters pour the above ingredients over ice and stir for aprox 30 seconds strain the liquid into a chilled (preferably coupe or martini-shaped) glass garnish with a maraschino cherry if you have one. (luxardo brand maraschino cherries are great!)

[@jayneneewing2369]

What a marvelous description and explanation of this wondrous painting. Thank you very much, sir.

[@4sstg]

Wonder full. Thankyou .

[@TheGaucha7]

wonderfully presented ! Thank you !!

[@ellenboswellschiefer4485]

An extraordinary synopsis of the painting and I will tune in next week. Life, Death, Rebirth , Thank you .

[@annettebulchandani7513]

Really enjoyed listening to you on Bellini’s “SAINT FRANCIS IN THE DESERT”.

[@ee233]

Thankyou for an excellent explanation this is wonderful as i am in Australia.I am looking forward to next week.Thank you for doing this.

[@danielstevenson6465]

Thank you so much for this! It is probably my favorite painting in the Frick collection, and it is wonderful to hear your thoughts on it.

[@Iamsegesest]

excellent!!

[@robertmather6152]

Very informative and a wonderful, original delivery format. Looking forward to your future presentations. Thank you.

[@jonathanmarshall3162]

Contemplative. Thank you

[@susanneschmid2984]

Very enjoyable. Thanks a lot.

[@pambuxton663]

Love this

[@gaetaneverna2488]

Such a rich experience, the content and the concept is thought-provoking and meditative.

[@marybethharrington5899]

Thank you thank you thank you! Cheers...salute

[@philliphamilton3591]

Thank you Xavier, totally captivating! Not sure how to make a Manhattan, so settled for a good old Gin & Tonic.

[@zlb198]

Fantastic! Until next week.

[@MrY1313]

Thank you!

[@petersmith2273]

Thank you, Xavier. Very interesting and profound. I'll drink what will be my first Manhattan to you and the Frick at the first opportunity. Currently in self-isolation in Wiltshire, UK

[@louisedewhirst6107]

Really enjoyed this. I have always loved this painting and this was a nice rethinking of it. I even happened to have the ingredients for the Manhattan. Cheers!

[@ottarsdatter]

And cheers to you too, Louise! I accidentally made a martini, my usual evening tipple, before tuning in. From now on I'll know to check ahead of time for the appropriate recipe.

[@mariemento1603]

Just excellent! See you next week!

[@dottiejeffries939]

Thank you so much. Your commentary is enriching, including the reading from St. Francis's writings and all the backstories. And fascinating to learn of San Lazzaro degli Armeni. look forward to the next episode. And please send the cocktail recipe ahead of time. I didn't find in my emails from the Frick Collection. Bravo.

[@joanwalters4741]

Wonderful Thank you very much.

[@marielune1000]

Thank you so much Xavier for such a wonderful initiative. I enjoyed very much. The beauty of the painting, the beauty of Saint Francis´ text and the beauty of your voice tone, made an extraordinary cocktail. Looking forward to see more . Greetings from México

[@jennifers6435]

Beautiful presentation

[@dr.nicholaswood4916]

Bravo ! Thank you my new friend.!