Solomon R. Guggenheim, American businessman and philanthropist, founded the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (d. 1949)

Solomon Robert Guggenheim (February 2, 1861 – November 3, 1949) was a preeminent American businessman and an exceptionally influential art collector whose profound legacy continues to shape the global art landscape. He is universally recognized for his visionary establishment of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and, most famously, the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, institutions that became pivotal in promoting and preserving modern art.

Born into one of America’s wealthiest and most influential industrial families, known for their vast mining and smelting empire, Guggenheim inherited a spirit of enterprise. His own acumen led him to found the highly successful Yukon Gold Company in Alaska, among numerous other significant business interests that spanned the early 20th century, cementing his reputation as a formidable industrialist. This extensive business career provided the foundation for his later, equally impactful, philanthropic endeavors in the arts.

Guggenheim’s journey into art collecting commenced in the 1890s. Initially, his collection included works by Old Masters and Impressionists, reflecting the prevailing tastes of the era. However, a transformative shift occurred after World War I, when he retired from his extensive business commitments to dedicate himself fully to his burgeoning passion for art. This pivot allowed him to explore new artistic frontiers, culminating in his groundbreaking focus on abstract and non-objective art.

This decisive reorientation was largely influenced by the German-born artist and art advisor, Baroness Hilla von Rebay. Rebay, a passionate advocate for non-objective painting – art that does not represent recognizable objects – became Guggenheim’s close confidante and curator. Under her fervent guidance, Guggenheim began amassing a truly significant collection of avant-garde European art by the 1930s. This pioneering collection included seminal works by masters such as Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall, Piet Mondrian, and Robert Delaunay, which were revolutionary for their time.

Driven by Rebay's conviction that this new form of art deserved its own dedicated space, Guggenheim opened his first public venue in 1939. This groundbreaking institution, initially known as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, was located on East 54th Street in New York City. It served as a vital precursor to the renowned building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that would later house the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue. The establishment of this foundation and museum cemented Guggenheim’s place as a pivotal figure in the popularization and institutionalization of modern art, fostering public appreciation for abstract expression and shaping the course of 20th-century art history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solomon R. Guggenheim

Who was Solomon R. Guggenheim?
Solomon Robert Guggenheim was a prominent American businessman and philanthropist, best known as a visionary art collector who established the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, significantly influencing the appreciation of modern and abstract art.
What was Solomon Guggenheim's primary business?
While born into a family with vast interests in mining and smelting (the Guggenheim family empire), Solomon R. Guggenheim personally founded and managed the highly successful Yukon Gold Company in Alaska, among other diverse business ventures, before dedicating his efforts to art patronage.
What type of art did Solomon R. Guggenheim collect?
Initially collecting Old Masters and Impressionist works, Solomon R. Guggenheim famously shifted his focus to modern, abstract, and specifically "non-objective" art under the guidance of Baroness Hilla von Rebay. His collection includes pivotal works by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Piet Mondrian, and Robert Delaunay.
When was the first Guggenheim museum opened?
Solomon R. Guggenheim opened his first public art venue, the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, in New York City in 1939. This institution served as the foundation for what would later become the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which moved into its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building in 1959, after Guggenheim's passing.
What is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation?
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is a global organization dedicated to fostering the understanding and appreciation of art, primarily of the modern and contemporary periods. Established by Guggenheim, it oversees a network of museums worldwide, including its flagship in New York City, and plays a crucial role in curating, preserving, and exhibiting significant artistic collections.