Peggy Guggenheim (1898–1979)

No journal review

Known as 'the Mistress of modern art', Peggy Guggenheim was a passionate collector and major patron. She amassed one of the most important collections of early 20th century European and American art embracing cubism, surrealism and expressionism. A 'poor little rich girl', (her father, Benjamin, went down with the Titanic in 1912), she was magnetically drawn to the avant-garde artistic community of Paris. She bought works by, and befriended, such artists as Picasso, Duchamp, Man Ray and Dali. In 1938 she opened her first gallery of modern art in London, followed by the 'Art of this Century' gallery in New York. Then, after a 4-year marriage to Max Ernst, she returned to Europe, setting up her collection in Venice where she lived until her death in 1979. This is the fascinating autobiography of a society heiress who became the bohemian doyenne of the art world. Written in her own words it is the frank and outspoken story of her life and loves: her stormy relationships with such men as Max Ernst and Jackson Pollock, of artistic discoveries and the excitement of promoting great work. seminal period of art history, and the ultimate self-invented woman.… (more)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I lament that she felt that she had to focus on modern art rather than all of the arts that interested her. The linear time line is a bit difficult to follow as she finished up all of her relationship with Pollock in one go and then continuing with her story. The only bad thing I have to say about the book is that there weren't any pictures. There were pictures of her and her friends, but, for a book so focused on art and artworks, there were no pictures of her favorite artworks. Often she would only mention the artist and give a description of the piece, but not the piece's title making it impossible to look up.… (more)