Peggy Guggenheim Art Addict * * * *

This documentary tells a different story from what I expected . For starters, other than her namesake and lending some pieces, she doesn’t have much to do with the Guggenheim museum in New York which was named after her uncle whom she did not like. To be honest I don’t think she liked anyone in her family much other than her sister.  Peggy was the black sheep. But she did have some Guggenheim family money.

This fascinating documentary tells us her life story and her determination to be part of the art scene even though she could not paint and did not want to be a critic. She became a gallery owner and was one of the first person in London to start a gallery that specialised in modern art.  This in turn led to her being introduced to most of the influential artists of the twenties through to the fifties. She slept with most of them (well she doesn’t mind sharing that information so I might as well tell you).  But more importantly she championed their work and knew the value of it - and I’m not talking monetarily.  The huge money that work by Max Ernst, Man Ray, Dali, Tanguy, Schwitters and so many others is now worth was not anticipated when she was collecting them.

We are indebted to Peggy too for rescuing so much work in the Second Word War. When the Nazi’s paid an unwelcome visit to Paris The Louvre hid as much as they could but they ignored the modern art. Peggy bought and shipped masses of it over to England.

The makers speak to many people that knew her who share their experiences with us either out of ego or altruism, but they’re all very entertaining.

This is a highly informative, confident documentary  supported by a recently discovered  audio  tape of Peggy Guggenheim's last interview which adds much credibility to the film, as she tells us what happened, when, and why, as opposed to a third party.