Peggy Guggenheim in London. The Making of a Collector

Step back in time to January 1938. Peggy Guggenheim, the legendary American art lover, has just opened her very first gallery on Cork Street in Mayfair. Named ‘Guggenheim Jeune,’ this vibrant space quickly became the place to be for anyone interested in bold new ideas, showcasing a mix of local and international artists who were busy reimagining the world through Surrealism and Abstraction.

This was the moment that changed everything for Peggy, sparking the passion that made her the world-famous collector we know today. In just a year and a half, she hosted over 20 exhibitions. She introduced the UK to legends like Vasily Kandinsky, organized the country’s first-ever show dedicated to collage, and even hosted a contemporary sculpture exhibition that caused quite a stir.

Now, we are bringing these iconic works back together. This exhibition reunites key pieces from those original displays, featuring masterpieces by Eileen Agar, Salvador Dalí, Barbara Hepworth, Rita Kernn-Larsen, Henry Moore, Vasily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Cedric Morris, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and many more.

Eighty-eight years after Peggy first opened her doors, the artists she championed are ready to make a splash in London all over again. We invite you to come and discover the art that defined an era.