Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Foxgloves, West Vestibule, Instalaltion. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

NEW YORK - Coinciding with the reopening of its newly renovated and enhanced home on Fifth Avenue, The Frick Collection presents a series of commissioned works by sculptor Vladimir Kanevsky (born 1951, Ukraine).  Known for his life-like porcelain flowers, Kanevsky's sculptures have been exhibited in museums around the world, including the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, and Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C. Kanevsky's opulent creations are meant to evoke the beautiful live bouquets displayed throughout the museum when it first opened to the public in 1935.
 

When The Frick Collection opened officially to the public on December 16, 1935, fresh flowers chosen by the founder’s daughter, Helen Clay Frick, were placed in the main ground-floor spaces. Ten days earlier, Helen Clay had relayed what she envisioned to the museum’s first director, Frederick Mortimer Clapp: a vase with thirty-six large American Beauty roses for the West Gallery, a bowl of a dozen red camellias and Talisman roses for the Library, two small vases with lilies of the valley for the Fragonard Room, two vases of lilies of the valley and forget-me-nots for the Boucher Room (then on the first floor), and yellow roses and a vase of mimosas for the Living Room. In some cases, she had chosen flowers in relation to specific works of art. Placed under Titian’s Portrait of a Man in a Red Hat, for example, a bowl with a dozen anthuriums linked the color and shape of the flowers to that of the subject’s hat. Unfortunately, there are neither photographs of the museum’s opening nor records of the flower arrangements. In the following years, fresh flowers could be seen in the galleries on a regular basis.

Born in Ukraine in 1951 and educated as an architect, Vladimir Kanevsky immigrated to the United States thirty-six years ago. Shortly after his arrival, he began working on figurative sculptures while experimenting with porcelain, bronze, ceramic, cement, and plastics. Eventually, he focused on porcelain, crafting unique table services and sculptures using flowers as the main characters, an occasion to tell larger stories. “Flowers,” Kanevsky has said, “are arguably the most prevalent topic in the history of art and architecture. Their cultural and symbolic significance offered infinite possibilities for artists.” Using porcelain in combination with metal, Kanevsky creates pieces based on hundreds of years of European floral tradition. Often employing a large scale along with an acute attention to the anatomy of specific plants, he creates factual works of art. Kanevsky says that the fusion of art and engineering in the design of these objects reminds him of his love of architecture and his past experience in the field. By developing innovative techniques and tools over the years, the artist has brought new energy to ancient materials, allowing him to create sophisticated modern objects.

Kanevsky has had solo exhibitions at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (Meissen, Germany), the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia), and Hillwood Museum (Washington), among others.

April 17, 2025 to October 6, 2025

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Dahlia branch, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Anemones, 2024–25. Parian body, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Lemon tree, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, parian body, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Lilac, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Foxgloves, 2024–25. Bone china, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Cascading roses, 2024–25. Parian body, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), White hyacinths, 2024–25. Parian body, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Camellia plant, 2024–25. Parian body, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Camellia branches, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Artichoke plant, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Peony bouquets, 2024–25. Parian body, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Blueberry branches, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, and copper. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Hydrangea, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Hollyhocks, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, bone china, parian body, black porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Cherry blossoms, 2024–25. Parian body, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Pomegranate plant, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Black poppies, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, black porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Lilies of the valley, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, black porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky (b. Ukraine, 1951), Tulip stems, 2024–25. Soft-paste porcelain, black porcelain, glazes, copper, and terracotta. Courtesy of the artist © The Frick Collection

Vladimir Kanevsky. Photo David Solodukho