Museums: Guggenheim Venice (Part 1 of 2)

During a recent trip to Venice, we visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.  If you love 20th century American and European paintings (we do!), then we recommend visiting the collection in person or online.

The collection is housed in a villa along the Grand Canal in Venice. The 18th century villa, known as Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, is incomplete--the ground floor was constructed but two upper floors never were.  Although the villa is incomplete, it is lovely location along Venice's main artery.

Palazzo Venier dei Leoni

A view from inside Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.  (If you look closely, you will see a tall, white palazzo to the right.  If Palazzo Venier dei Leoni had been completed, it would have resembled the palazzo in the photo.)

The villa was once one of Peggy Guggenheim's homes.  She used her modest wealth (she was from the less wealthy branch of the family) to promote and collect art, to travel the world and to have a really good time.  At her death, the villa became a museum housing her amazing art collection. 

PICASSO. On the Beach:  When we visited, the museum was hosting a small temporary Pablo Picasso exhibition.  The narrow focus of the exhibition was beach scenes painted by Picasso while in France during a two week period in 1937. 

Peggy Guggenheim Collection:  The museum's main collection was Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of works by artists she knew, loved and supported.  She helped define the direction of 20th century American and European art.  Below are photos of a few works from the collection.   

Schulhof Collection:  Since 2012, the art collection of Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof has been on display in the museum.  The Schulhof Collection complements the main collection and includes some wonderful paintings.

Next Up:  The best part of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.