Peggy Guggenheim Calder was an American art collector, socialite, and art patron. She was born in 1898 in New York City and died in 1979 in Venice, Italy. She is best known for her influential art collection and her patronage of the avant-garde art movement of the 20th century. She was a major contributor to the development of modern art and was instrumental in introducing many of the artists of her time to the world.
Early Life
Peggy Guggenheim was born on August 26, 1898, in New York City to a wealthy family. Her father, Benjamin Guggenheim, was a successful businessman and her mother, Florette Seligman, was a socialite. She had two brothers, Harry and Benjamin Jr. As a child, she was known for her precociousness and her rebellious streak. She was educated at home and in private schools, and had a brief stint at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Art Collection
In 1938, Peggy Guggenheim moved to Paris and began to build her art collection. She quickly developed a reputation for her discerning eye and her willingness to take risks on unknown and emerging artists. She bought works from many of the leading avant-garde artists of the day, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, and Piet Mondrian. Her collection grew to include over 300 pieces of modern art.
Guggenheim Museum
In 1939, Guggenheim opened the Guggenheim Jeune gallery in London, which showcased her collection of modern art. The gallery was a success and became a major center for the promotion of modern art in Europe. In 1947, she opened the Art of This Century gallery in New York, which showcased her collection and the work of her artist friends. In 1948, she opened the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, which became a major tourist attraction and a popular destination for art lovers.
Legacy
Peggy Guggenheim was a major force in the development of modern art. Her collection was an important contribution to the development of the avant-garde art movement. Her influence is still felt today in the art world and in the museums and galleries that she established. She was a major patron of the arts and her legacy lives on in the works of art she collected and the institutions she established.
Legacy in Venice
Peggy Guggenheim lived in Venice for the last thirty years of her life. She established the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice in 1948, which is now one of the most visited art museums in the world. She also established the Guggenheim Foundation in Venice, which is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of modern art. Her legacy in Venice is one of the most lasting of her life.
Final Years
Peggy Guggenheim died in 1979 in Venice, Italy. She left her entire collection to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. The foundation continues to promote and preserve modern art, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice is now a major tourist attraction and a popular destination for art lovers.
Conclusion
Peggy Guggenheim was an influential art collector and patron of the avant-garde art movement of the 20th century. She was a major contributor to the development of modern art and was instrumental in introducing many of the artists of her time to the world. Her legacy is still felt today in the works of art she collected and the institutions she established. Her legacy in Venice is one of the most lasting of her life.