ART HISTORY
The Art Patron Who Slept with a 1000 Men
The influence of socialite art addict Peggy Guggenheim
Peggy Guggenheim was once asked how many husbands she had had. “My own, or other people’s?” was the enigmatic reply. Peggy loved sex. Peggy loved company. More importantly, company loved Peggy.
Peggy was the patron saint to a vast majority of artists from the early 30’s right through to her death in 1979. A semi-wealthy heiress, her small fortune enabled her to travel to Europe and open several prestigious galleries. She was to become infamous for her reluctance to spend and her tight-fisted nature. Celebratory parties were often served cheap scotch and ready-salted potato chips. Never-the-less, Peggy’s impact on the world of art was immense.
Jackson Pollock, the legend in his own mind and one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, once said of Peggy:
“You’d have to put a towel over her head if you wanted to make love to her.”
Needless to say, Pollock was an ungrateful ass. A man whose career was helped by Peggy’s parties, connections and support. Peggy was used to men not treating her well. Her first…
