When considering the storied history of the Guggenheim Museum, one of the first questions that comes to mind is which Guggenheim brother built the New York Art Museum? The answer is Solomon R. Guggenheim, who opened the museum in 1939.
Solomon R. Guggenheim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 2nd, 1861. He was the son of Meyer and Barbara (Hirsch) Guggenheim and had seven siblings; four brothers and three sisters.
He attended Central High School in Philadelphia and graduated in 1879. After graduating high school he went on to pursue a career in business and finance.
In 1905, Solomon R. Guggenheim married Irene Rothschild, with whom he had two children – Peggy Guggenheim and Frank Guggenheim. In 1909, he purchased his first artwork – a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir – which sparked his interest in art collecting. Over the next few years, he developed an extensive art collection including works by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and other renowned artists of his time.
In 1929, Solomon R. Guggenheim began plans for a museum to house his extensive art collection with architect Frank Lloyd Wright taking on the task of designing it. Construction of the original building was completed 15 years later in 1943 with additional wings added later over time until it reached its present size today as one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks – The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at Fifth Avenue and 89th Street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood
The Solomon R.Guggenheim Museum is now home to more than 7,000 pieces of modern art from around the world including works by Monet, Degas and Kandinsky as well as more contemporary artists such as Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein among others. It also serves as an educational resource for visitors from around the world who come to learn about modern art from both a historical perspective as well as from current exhibitions that can be found at the museum year-round .
Solomon R .Guggenheim’s legacy lives on not only through his impressive collection but through his commitment to arts education for future generations . His vision for a world-class museum has been realized through his unwavering dedication to making art accessible to all .
In conclusion , Solomon R .Guggenheim is responsible for building New York City’s famous Guggenheim Art Museum , one of the most iconic landmarks in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood . His legacy continues to live on through both his impressive collection housed within its walls as well as through its commitment to arts education worldwide .