Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Photographers
1980
Opened as Museum
200+
Works on Display
1.5–2 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy — peggy Guggenheim lived for thirty years in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a low eighteenth-century palace on the Grand Canal. Open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays). Admission: €16 standard admission. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (1.5–2 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Peggy Guggenheim lived for thirty years in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a low eighteenth-century palace on the Grand Canal. After her death in 1979 the home and its collection passed to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
The collection is a who's-who of European and American modernism, with Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism on intimate display in domestic-scale rooms and a sculpture-filled garden overlooking the canal.
Peggy Guggenheim was one of the most influential art patrons of the twentieth century, discovering and supporting Jackson Pollock, Max Ernst (her second husband), and dozens of avant-garde artists during her years in Paris, London, and Venice.
The museum opened to the public in 1980 and remains one of Venice's most beloved cultural destinations — a personal collection displayed in the collector's own home, with her ashes interred in a corner of the garden beside her beloved dogs.
1.5–2 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Peggy Guggenheim Collection without museum fatigue. · 1.5–2 hours
- 1
The Empire of Light
📍 Main gallery, ground floor
A paradoxical nocturnal street scene beneath a bright daytime sky — one of Magritte's most celebrated images of impossible light.
- 2
Bird in Space
📍 Sculpture garden
An elongated bronze form suggesting flight rather than depicting it.
- 3
Angel of the City
📍 Canal-side terrace
A bronze rider on horseback with arms outstretched in triumph, positioned at the water's edge as if greeting visitors arriving by boat.
- 4
Alchemy
📍 Upper gallery
An early drip painting from Pollock's breakthrough year — layered enamel and aluminium paint on canvas.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Peggy Guggenheim Collection — and why they matter.
The Empire of Light
René Magritte · 1953–1954
📍 Main gallery, ground floor
A paradoxical nocturnal street scene beneath a bright daytime sky — one of Magritte's most celebrated images of impossible light. Acquired by Peggy Guggenheim directly from the artist.
Bird in Space
Constantin Brancusi · 1932–1940
📍 Sculpture garden
An elongated bronze form suggesting flight rather than depicting it. Brancusi's abstract bird stands among cypress trees in the canal-side garden, one of several works by the sculptor in the collection.
Angel of the City
Marino Marini · 1948
📍 Canal-side terrace
A bronze rider on horseback with arms outstretched in triumph, positioned at the water's edge as if greeting visitors arriving by boat. One of Marini's most iconic sculptures.
Alchemy
Jackson Pollock · 1947
📍 Upper gallery
An early drip painting from Pollock's breakthrough year — layered enamel and aluminium paint on canvas. Peggy Guggenheim gave Pollock his first solo show at her Art of This Century gallery in New York.
Collections & highlights
- • Cubist works by Picasso, Braque, and Léger
- • Surrealist painting and sculpture
- • Abstract Expressionism — Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning
- • Nasher Sculpture Garden on the Grand Canal
- • Italian Futurism and Metaphysical painting
- • Peggy Guggenheim's personal living quarters
Frequently asked questions
Is the garden included?
Yes, the Nasher Sculpture Garden is part of the visit.
How do I get there?
Take the Vaporetto to Accademia or Salute and walk a few minutes through Dorsoduro.
How long should I spend at Peggy Guggenheim Collection?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Peggy Guggenheim Collection best known for?
Peggy Guggenheim lived for thirty years in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a low eighteenth-century palace on the Grand Canal. After her death in 1979 the home and its collection passed to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Key highlights include The Empire of Light by Magritte, Bird in Space by Brancusi, Angel of the City by Marino Marini.
How do I get tickets for Peggy Guggenheim Collection?
€16 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.guggenheim-venice.it/en/
Is the sculpture garden included?
Yes — the Nasher Sculpture Garden is part of every visit. Works by Brancusi, Marini, and Giacometti are displayed among cypress trees with views of the Grand Canal.
Can I see where Peggy Guggenheim is buried?
Yes — her ashes are interred in a corner of the garden near the sculpture of Marini's Angel of the City, alongside memorial plaques for her dogs.
How does this compare to the Biennale?
The Peggy Guggenheim is a permanent collection in a historic palazzo, open year-round. The Biennale is a temporary exhibition across multiple venues during odd-numbered years. Both are in Dorsoduro and pair well together.
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