Who?
Peggy Guggenheim
When did she live?
She was born in 1898 and died in 1979.
Why should I know about her?
Known as the ‘Mistress of Modern Art’, Guggenheim was a socialite, bohemian and prolific art collector, her house in Venice is now a museum and veritable shrine to Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism. Guggenheim’s relative independence in the pursuit of art is nothing short of admirable in a time when women had to conscribe to a way of thinking and acting.
She was also married to Laurence Vail and Max Ernst and apparently had 1,000 lovers whilst living in Europe, taking the meaning of ‘holiday romance’ to a fab extreme.
Anything else?
Guggenheim is buried in her house in Venice next to her beloved Lhasa Apsos. According to the dates inscribed on her dogs’ graves, Guggenheim’s pets seem to live longer the more experienced a dog owner she became. For example, her first dog, Cappuccino, lived to the tender age of 4. Whereas her last dog, Cellida, managed to kick it aged 15.
Where can I learn more about her?
Well if you’re ever in Venice, the Peggy Guggenheim collection in the Dorsoduro district is a must. The intimate setting means you can enjoy the works the way Peggy would have lived with them and accompanied by the beautiful views of the Grand Canal.
If you’re not going to be in Venice any time soon, Guggenheim’s autobiography, Out of This Century, is worth a read for an (often rambled) insight into her life, with lots of famous names in the world of art dropping like here there and everywhere. For a more measured approach, try Anton Gill’s Art Lover: A Biography of Peggy Guggenheim.
Guggenheim, wearing Poiret and photographed by Man-Ray in 1924
Guggenheim in her Venice home with her beloved Lhasa Apsos, sitting behind an Alexander Calder sculpture (still in situ)
Guggenheim sunbathing on the front terrace of her Venice home, the Grand Canal behind her.
ART.CULTURE.SPAM 