A titan of the 20th century art world in Europe and the United States, with her own museum in Venice, Italy (Peggy Guggenheim Collection), and niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim, founder of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
Firmly entrenched in bohemian societies on both continents, she used her legacy to promote the avant-garde. Sometimes that involved wearing items designed by artists, like the A. Calder earrings, and the E. Melcarth butterfly sunglasses.
My favorite looks were earlier--her skirt suits best of all. There was something Grecian there--the kind of weighty fabric and cuts worn by Martha Graham with sandals. Severe, but unassuming. Commanding attention, but not menswear. Even her evening gowns seemed designed for working (networking)--simple shifts with just enough jewelry to identify her wealth--hair swept back so the eye draws up to her face.
Curious is that all these photos look as if they were posed. They probably were, but don't feel so. You can see how still she sits, like a catalog model receding into her own planes and torque. Respectfully waiting for the right shot, so that the vital elements of her costume and surroundings may be captured.
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