COLLEZIONE PEGGY GUGGENHEIM

Near the Accademia, the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, a majestic 18th-century palazzo, was originally intended to be four storeys high, but today has only one level, hence the affectionate Venetian nickname il palazzo Non finito ("the unfinished palace"). The building houses the precious art collections of American heiress Peggy Guggenheim, who acquired it in 1949 and lived there until her death in 1979. Upon her death, Peggy's uncle established the Guggenheim Foundation. The Venice museum is without doubt the richest and best laid-out of the Guggenheim series.

Through its seven rooms, garden and terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, you'll discover Peggy Guggenheim's private home. The entrance, adorned with a Calder mobile, and the living room, featuring magnificent Giacometti sculptures, reflect the collector's artistic taste. Photographs on the walls recall the furniture of Peggy's time, testifying to her elegance.

Peggy's collection of modern art is nothing short of impressive. It includes iconic works by influential artists of the 1920s, illustrating movements ranging from Cubism to Surrealism to Futurism. You'll find masterpieces by Picasso, Braque, Fernand Léger, Victor Brauner, Modigliani, Giorgio de Chirico, Albert Gleizes, Giacomo Balla, as well as Kandinsky, Umberto Boccioni and Mondrian. Not forgetting Salvador Dalí with his Naissance des désirs liquides and René Magritte's famous L'Empire des Lumières.

In 2012, the collection was enriched by a gift from collector Hannelore B. Schulhof, adding more than 80 additional works of art.

Before you leave, don't miss a stroll through the Terrazza Marini, the terrace garden offering a splendid view of the Grand Canal. At the center of this landscape, a bold bronze sculpture catches the eye: it's The Angel of the City, an erect male figure on a horse, a provocative work by Italian sculptor Marino Marini, much appreciated by Peggy Guggenheim. This striking scene appeals without ever lapsing into bad taste; after all, it's still art!

At the far end of the garden, behind the charming ivy-covered rotunda, you can visit Peggy Guggenheim's grave. Next to it, a plaque commemorates her beloved dogs, including Cappuccino, Peacock and Madame Butterfly, who rest beside her.