The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is an art museum in Venice, Italy, showcasing the private collection of the late American art collector Peggy Guggenheim. It is one of the most important modern art museums in Europe and houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by major European and American artists. It is also home to a large collection of Surrealist art, which was a particular passion of Peggy Guggenheim.
History
The museum was established in 1951, when Peggy Guggenheim moved her collection of modern art from her home in New York City to the Venetian Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. The collection had been built up over the preceding 25 years, with Guggenheim acquiring works from both Europe and the United States. She also commissioned works from leading contemporary artists of the time, including Jackson Pollock and Marcel Duchamp. The museum was opened to the public in 1952 and quickly became a popular tourist attraction.
Collections
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is home to a vast and varied collection of modern and contemporary art. It includes works by major European and American artists, such as Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Alexander Calder, and many others. The museum also has a large collection of Surrealist art, which was a particular passion of Guggenheim’s. Other works in the collection include abstract expressionist paintings, sculptures, and installations.
Highlights
Pablo Picasso
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection houses an impressive collection of works by Pablo Picasso. This includes his iconic painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, which is widely considered to be one of the most influential works of the 20th century. Other highlights include The Blind Man’s Meal and Woman with a Book.
Salvador Dalí
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection has a large collection of works by the Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. This includes his painting The Madonna of Port Lligat, which was completed in 1949, and The Persistence of Memory, which is one of his most famous works. Other highlights include The Angelus of Gala and The Temptation of St. Anthony.
Jackson Pollock
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is home to several works by the American abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. This includes his iconic painting Mural, which was completed in 1943, and The Moon Woman, which was completed in 1942. Other highlights include The She Wolf and Convergence.
Visiting
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is open daily from 10am to 6pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is free for visitors under the age of 18, and discounted rates are available for students and senior citizens. The museum also hosts a variety of educational activities, including guided tours, lectures, and workshops.
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a must-see for any visitor to Venice. Its vast and varied collection of modern and contemporary art is sure to inspire and delight. With its rich history and stunning location, the museum is an unforgettable experience.