Peggy Guggenheim: Fortuny, Delphos Dress

Peggy Guggenheim (1989-1979) was a highly influential American art collector, patron, and society socialite known for her keen appreciation & advocacy of modern art & design. She was born into wealth, and at an early age, moved to Paris and quickly ingratiated herself into the world of avant-garde artists. During World War II, she assisted artists in escaping the Nazi regime and later established the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, which remains one of the world’s most acclaimed modern art collections. Her keen eye for spotting & supporting talent, dedication to the progression of art, and extraordinary sense of style made her an enduring figure of the 20th century; one whose impact still reverberates today.

"Delphos" pleated column dress in golden beige silk with satin cord and hand painted Venetian beads along armholes and at side seams. Sleeveless. High stretch content due to pleating. Unlined, no closures. Label reads "Made in Italy. Fabriqué en Italie. Fortuny Déposé"

Label: Fortuny Déposé
Size Label: Unsized
Date: Early 20th Century
Country of Origin: Italy

Approximate Measurements (unstretched):
Shoulders: 13“
Chest: 12.5“
Waist: 12“
Hips: 12“
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 52“

From the Collection of Jane Rylands, Palm Beach, Florida

This lot is located in Chicago.

I knew Peggy, and her son Sindbad, for the last six years of her life in Venice. We became close friends—indeed, I consider her friendship one of the great gifts of my life. At a certain point she wrote (on her noisy manual typewriter) a long list of bequests for her personal possessions—books and garments for example—and in this list was the gift of her Fortuny dress to me. I felt embarrassed by the generosity of the gift because she had two granddaughters. But her son Sindbad, her executor but also the father of the girls, insisted that I accept the gift. I was very touched, not least because Sindbad resembled his mother in her correctness, in her steadfastness and honesty. I have the fondest memories of my times with Peggy and delight in the fact (as did Peggy) that many of her excellent characteristics carried on in Sindbad.

Philip and I came to Venice so he could research his book on Palma Il Vecchio, little imagining how it would change our lives. We hadn’t been in Venice more than a few weeks when we met Peggy…and just about the entire Venice social scene.

Jane Turner Rylands

March 6, 2025