“On their night off, Peggy Guggenheim invited the entire company to a party at her palazzo, across the Grand Canal from the Piazza San Marco. Dusk was coming on and lanterns were strung everywhere. Lavish platters of hors d’oeuvres were arrayed throughout the rooms, filled with Guggenheim’s fabled collection of modern art. There were also interesting guests from outside the ballet world. Dressed to the nines, Wilde and Le Clercq went by gondola together. . . .”
Read my forthcoming Wilde book for more…