Kykuit is a unique combination of art, history, and scenic beauty. It houses a significant collection of Modern Art and ancient Chinese art. It was the home of one of the richest and most powerful families in American history. And it overlooks one of the most scenic areas of the Hudson River Valley.

The estate was the home of several generations of the Rockefeller family. The original house was purchased in 1893 by oil tycoon John D. Rockeffer, who made the family fortune in the 19th century. His son, the philanthropist John D. Rockfeffer Jr., transformed the house into a classically-inspired mansion in 1913. In the 1960s, Kykuit became the home of New York governor and later vice president of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller and his family.

Still arranged much as it was when the family lived there, the interior embodies restrained 20th century luxury. There is nothing flashy about it. Rather, the decor is conservative, reminiscent of an English gentleman's country house. Visitors can get a feel for how the rich and powerful actually lived in the recent past.

Punctuating the décor here and there are Chinese sculptures and ceramics. On the walls, are black and white prints of works by 18th century English portrait painters intermixed with a few original paintings including works by Sargent, Lawrence, Hopner and Stuart.

Considering that Kykuit was the home of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, a co-founder of New York's Museum of Modern Art, and her son Nelson, who was a vigorous collector of mid-20th century Modern Art, it is surprising that there are only a handful of modern works in the living quarters of the house. One is tempted to think that they may have liked Modern Art but they did not want to live too close with it.

The bulk of the two-dimensional Modern Art at Kykuit is in the basement. Nelson realized that some of the disused service passages under the house could be converted to display his art collection. As a result, these passages were transformed to resemble galleries in a contemporary museum. In this area are works by Picasso, Bracque, Calder, Chagall, Warhol, LaTrec, Siegel, and other modern artists. There is a heavy emphasis on abstract works.

Grouped together are a series of unique hand-woven tapestries. Nelson commissioned textile artist Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach to work with Picasso to reproduce some of Picasso's famous works. Picasso did not want the tapestries to be confused with his paintings so the tapestries were made in monumental size. In addition, the colors selected differ from Picasso's painting palette. Consequently, the tapestries present visual experiences that are at once familiar but at the same time their own.

Kykuit's art collection is not confined to the house. Surrounding the mansion are gardens. Close to the house are formal Italianate gardens but they open to English-style landscape the gardens presenting sweeping vistas of lawns and trees with the magnificent Hudson River beyond.

Placed here and there are monumental sculptures in metal and stone including works by Moore, Calder and Nevelson. Most are abstract and reflect Nelson's taste for mid-20th century art. They provide focal points that enhance the view.

While it can be argued that nature needs no enhancement, it should be kept in mind that even an English landscape garden is in fact a manipulation of nature. To create such a garden earth is moved, fields and lawns created and trees planted. Such gardens do not look that way naturally. Therefore, man-made enhancements are not out of place in a garden.

Kykuit is located about 20 miles north of New York City. It is open to the public via tours conducted by Historic Hudson Valley. For more information about visiting see Historic Hudson Valley's website.

Places to see art ​ - Pocantico Hills, New York - Kykuit