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PEGEEN VAIL GUGGENHEIM

Swiss/American, 1925-1967

"Interior", 1945

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower left "45 / Pegeen", titled, signed, and dated on the reverse
20 x 32 in. (50.8 x 81.3 cm.), Frame: 23 3/4 x 35 3/4 x 2 in. (60.3 x 90.8 x 5.1 cm.)

  • Provenance: The Artist, 1945; To her mother, Peggy Guggenheim (American, 1898-1979), ca. 1948; Acquired by Shirley Raskin (Kurtz), ca. 1952; To her daughter, Judy Cohen (Raskin), ca. 1977; by descent in the family, ca. 1985; Private Collection, Connecticut
  • Exhibited: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), "One Hundred and Forty-Second Annual Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture", January 26 - March 2, 1947, cat. no. 250; Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Stedelijk Museum, "Surréalisme + abstraction: choix de la collection Peggy Guggenheim", January 19 - March 28, 1951 and Brussels, Belgium, Palais des Beaux Arts, March 5 - 28, 1951, cat. no. 178; Milan, Italy, Galleria Del Corso, "Pegeen", November 28 - December 5, 1951, cat. no. 2 (as "Interno" from the collection of Peggy Guggenheim).
  • Notes: A copy of the original exhibition catalog for the 1948 Venice exhibition and the Surrealisme + Abstraction exhibition catalog listed above and a copy of Benjamin Helion, "Pegeen Vail Guggenheim: A Life Through Art", accompany this lot.

    Pegeen Jezebel Margaret Vail was born in Switzerland, the daughter of Peggy Guggenheim and artist Laurence Vail. Her mother, an American collector, bohemian, and socialite, was famous for championing the careers of artists including Jackson Pollock, William Congden, Wolfgang Paalen, and Max Ernst (who she married from 1941-1946). From a young age, her mother encouraged her interest in art and exhibited Pegeen's early works at her London gallery, Guggenheim Jeune.
    In 1943, Pegeen participated in her mother's landmark exhibition "Exhibition by 31 Women" held at Peggy's museum-gallery in New York City, Art of this Century. After traveling for the summer of 1943, Pegeen returned to New York and began a romantic relationship with the artist Jean Helion. She abandoned her formal education but continued to exhibit her work at Art of this Century. In 1946, she had her first solo exhibition there including oil paintings, drawings, and gouaches painted in her signature naive style. At Art of this Century, Pegeen's work was shown alongside works by Kay Sage, Leonora Carrington, Lee Krasner, Dorothea Tanning and Frida Kahlo. In 1947 Peggy closed Art of this Century and moved to Venice permanently.
    It was during this artistic peak in Pegeen's career that the present lot was painted. Dated 1945, "Interior" seems to be a biographical narrative composition embracing elements of both surrealism and naive art. She was surrounded by the best modernists of the 20th century including her step-father, Max Ernst, and was undoubtedly influenced by the avant-garde trends in European and American art. In her paintings, including "Interior" Pegeen depicts happily wed couples and families in cheerful, bright colors. She struggled with depression throughout her life, and in her paintings created an idealized world.
    Peggy was invited to curate the Greek Pavillion for the 1948 Venice Biennale, an important exhibition displaying modern art for the first time after two decades of dictatorial regime in Italy and the first time Peggy's collection was shown in Europe. In an art historical context, it was the first time American painters including Jackson Pollack, William Baziotes, Mark Rothko, and Clyfford Still were shown in Europe. In a promotional photograph taken for this exhibition, Peggy is seated on the steps of the Greek Pavilion holding the present lot. An obvious nod to her mother's appreciation for her work but also an indicator of the historical significance of the present lot.
    This work was widely exhibited in both the United States and in Europe. It entered a private collection in 1952 when it was likely acquired in Europe during a honeymoon trip. After decades in a private family collection, it is being offered at auction for the first time.

    (Photo Caption: Peggy Guggenheim at the 24th Venice Biennale in 1948 with "Interior," a work by her daughter Pegeen Vail. (Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation/Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche))
  • Condition: in excellent original condition with one small surface dent to the left of the flower vase; a few areas of wear along the edges; two small dots of abrasion lower center and dirt accumulation on the surface commensurate with age

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
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