DK Travel : Venice : Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

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The delightfully spacious, light-filled Collezione Peggy Guggenheim is home to works by more than 200 contemporary artists representing powerful avant garde movements such as Cubism, Futurism and Surrealism. The landmark collection, put together by its far-sighted namesake, is housed in the 18th-century Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, known as the “unfinished palace” because of its one-storey construction. As well as the wonderful works of art on display inside the gallery, there is also a striking sculpture garden and the former home of Peggy Guggenheim to visit.
For more Venice art galleries (see Museums and Galleries)

Top 10 Works of Art

1. The Poet

A wonderful starting point is this portrait (1911) by legendary Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), from his early Cubist period. The figure is executed from a limited palette of ochre and dark browns .
2. Bird in Space

This polished brass sculpture (1932–40) was once classified by US customs as a “stair-rail”, thus subject to duty. Its creator was Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi (1876–1957).
3. Attirement of the Bride

This portrayal (1940) of an orange-robed bride assisted by mutant animals and humans, is by Max Ernst (1891–1976). The German Surrealist was married to Guggenheim in the 1940s.
4. Empire of Light

Magical light effects see darkened trees and a house silhouetted by a street lamp against a contrasting daytime sky with fluffy clouds, in this work (1953–4) by René Magritte (1898–1967). The Belgian Surrealist was renowned for his eccentric subjects.
5. Woman Walking

This serene elongated form of a truncated female figure (1932), apparently inspired by Etruscan design, is the recognized trademark of the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti (1901–66), a short-term participant in the Surrealist movement.
6. The Moon Woman

This vibrant canvas (1942) starring a skeletal stick figure with an odd, padded curve is an early work by Jackson Pollock (1912–56), pre-dating his famous “drip” technique.
7. Magic Garden

A deliberately childlike, warmly textured piece (1926) by Paul Klee (1879–1940), with smeary shapes and sketched-in faces and buildings , fulfils the artist’s desire to be “as though newborn… to be almost primitive”.
8. Mobile

This simple masterpiece of movement (1941) by Alexander Calder (1898–1976), which gave its name to all mobiles, hangs in the atrium of Guggenheim’s house and shifts delicately in the breeze.
9. Angel of the City

Set on steps leading to the terrace, this bronze horse and rider (1948) by Italian sculptor Marino Marini (1901–80) greet passing boats in an outstretched stance.
10. Three Standing Figures

Beautifully placed in the Nasher Sculpture Garden, these abstract sculptures (1953) by Henry Moore (1898–1986) were inspired by Italian bell towers.

Practical Information

Take a break on the café’s shady verandah for a light snack or a meal. Watch the sun setting on the terrace directly on the Grand Canal during the late evening openings. Fondamenta Venier dei Leoni Dorsoduro 704 (2nd entrance Calle S Cristoforo, Dorsoduro 701) 041 240 54 11 www.guggenheim-venice.it Open 10am–6pm Wed–Mon; closed 25 Dec Admission € 10 Coffee shop Audio guides No photography Shop