Lunchtime lecture: Peggy Guggenheim - saving modern art
A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.
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In 1939, at the start of war, Peggy Guggenheim vowed to purchase a ‘picture a day’ from the artists whose art was the target of fascist persecution. Smuggling the works out of France in 1941 in boxes labelled ‘household goods’ she saved the work of a generation from potential destruction. But, her work did not end there. Over the next decade she would create an art gallery that supported the careers of several emerging modern artists, including Jackson Pollock and Robert Motherwell. And, in 1948 she would display this art at the Venice Biennale, solidifying both its modern and historical importance.
This lecture is a short introduction focusing on Guggenheim’s collecting and curatorial practices in the mid-20th century; it will lead us to a better understanding of how valuable (not monetarily) permanent collections and display are to the preservation of our shared art histories.
What will we cover?
• Peggy Guggenheim’s collecting practice • An exploration of her New York gallery ‘Art of this Century’ and its curatorial practice • A look into her pathbreaking exhibition at the Venice Biennale • Questions about the role of the collector in the history of art.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical importance of Guggenheim’s work • Discuss the purpose of Guggenheim’s collecting practices • Identify some of the artists who were part of her collection.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
his course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, pleaseclick here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
This lecture does not provide notes for you. You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided. A reading list will be shared at the end of the session, but not before (it cannot be sent via email).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.
Sarah is an art historian, educator, curator and writer based in London. Before her current position as art history tutor coordinator and programme lead at City Lit Sarah was a curator in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. For six years, she was the lead educator for the Bridget Riley Art Foundation and has also worked at Wellcome Collection exploring the connections of art, medicine and human experience. Sarah has been an art history lecturer since 2003. Her first MA was in art history, her second MA was in cultural studies and her BA (first) was in art history. Sarah's expertise is in late 19th/early 20th century French art, but is also a generalist, teaching on a variety of topics and prefers to place artworks and objects in their wider social and cultural contexts, from the European Renaissance to the contemporary, emphasising new narratives and approaches to Western Art History.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/lunchtime-lecture-peggy-guggenheim-saving-modern-art3046357Lunchtime lecture: Peggy Guggenheim - saving modern arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/lunchtime-lecture-peggy-guggenheim-vb754-1200.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Online courses228511361137117717311228511771136<p>A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.</p>003046321Lunchtime lecture: Peggy Guggenheim - saving modern art1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/lunchtime-lecture-peggy-guggenheim-vb754-1200_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB7541919Lunchtime lecture: Peggy Guggenheim - saving modern art151219Sarah Jaffraylunchtime-lecture-peggy-guggenheim-saving-modern-art/vb754-2627<p>A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-25 00:00:00<p>In 1939, at the start of war, Peggy Guggenheim vowed to purchase a ‘picture a day’ from the artists whose art was the target of fascist persecution. Smuggling the works out of France in 1941 in boxes labelled ‘household goods’ she saved the work of a generation from potential destruction. But, her work did not end there. Over the next decade she would create an art gallery that supported the careers of several emerging modern artists, including Jackson Pollock and Robert Motherwell. And, in 1948 she would display this art at the Venice Biennale, solidifying both its modern and historical importance.<br><br>This lecture is a short introduction focusing on Guggenheim’s collecting and curatorial practices in the mid-20th century; it will lead us to a better understanding of how valuable (not monetarily) permanent collections and display are to the preservation of our shared art histories.</p><p>A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.</p><p>• Peggy Guggenheim’s collecting practice<br>• An exploration of her New York gallery ‘Art of this Century’ and its curatorial practice<br>• A look into her pathbreaking exhibition at the Venice Biennale<br>• Questions about the role of the collector in the history of art.</p><p>• Understand the historical importance of Guggenheim’s work<br>• Discuss the purpose of Guggenheim’s collecting practices<br>• Identify some of the artists who were part of her collection.</p><p>his course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please<a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.<strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>This lecture does not provide notes for you. You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided. A reading list will be shared at the end of the session, but not before (it cannot be sent via email).</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesvirtual151912VB754NONEWed25/11/2613:00 - 14:0013:0014:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-25T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Lunchtime lecture: Peggy Guggenheim - saving modern artlunchtime-lecture-peggy-guggenheim-saving-modern-art/vb754-2627<p>A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-25 00:00:00<p>In 1939, at the start of war, Peggy Guggenheim vowed to purchase a ‘picture a day’ from the artists whose art was the target of fascist persecution. Smuggling the works out of France in 1941 in boxes labelled ‘household goods’ she saved the work of a generation from potential destruction. But, her work did not end there. Over the next decade she would create an art gallery that supported the careers of several emerging modern artists, including Jackson Pollock and Robert Motherwell. And, in 1948 she would display this art at the Venice Biennale, solidifying both its modern and historical importance.<br><br>This lecture is a short introduction focusing on Guggenheim’s collecting and curatorial practices in the mid-20th century; it will lead us to a better understanding of how valuable (not monetarily) permanent collections and display are to the preservation of our shared art histories.</p><p>A brief introduction to Peggy Guggenheim's collecting practice and how it evolved into one of the most significant collections of modern art. From her revolutionary exhibition space in New York City to her transformation of the Venice Biennale, we will see how she saved modern art from the clutches of fascism.</p><p>• Peggy Guggenheim’s collecting practice<br>• An exploration of her New York gallery ‘Art of this Century’ and its curatorial practice<br>• A look into her pathbreaking exhibition at the Venice Biennale<br>• Questions about the role of the collector in the history of art.</p><p>• Understand the historical importance of Guggenheim’s work<br>• Discuss the purpose of Guggenheim’s collecting practices<br>• Identify some of the artists who were part of her collection.</p><p>his course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please<a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.<strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>This lecture does not provide notes for you. You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided. A reading list will be shared at the end of the session, but not before (it cannot be sent via email).</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesconfigurable
11371136Introductory & general art history courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/introductory-general-art-history1/2/285/1177/1136/11371/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses
