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Paul César Helleu
Paul César Helleu

Paul César Helleu

French, 1859-1927
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Paul César Helleu was a French oil painter, pastel artist, drypoint etcher, and designer, best known for his numerous portraits of beautiful society women of the Belle Époque. He also conceived the ceiling mural of night sky constellations for Grand Central Terminal in New York City. He was also the father of Jean Helleu and the grandfather of Jacques Helleu, both artistic directors for Parfums Chanel.

Paul César Helleu was born in Vannes, Brittany, France. His father, who was a customs inspector, died when Helleu was in his teens. Despite opposition from his mother, he then went to Paris and studied at Lycée Chaptal. In 1876, at age 16, he was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts, beginning academic training in art with Jean-Léon Gérôme. Helleu attended the Second Impressionist Exhibition in the same year, and made his first acquaintances with John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, and Claude Monet. He was struck by their modern, bold alla prima technique and outdoor scenes, so far removed from the studio. Following graduation, Helleu took a job with the firm Théodore Deck Ceramique Française hand-painting fine decorative plates. At this same time, he met Giovanni Boldini, a portrait painter with a facile, bravura style, who became a mentor and comrade, and strongly influenced his future artistic style.

Helleu was commissioned in 1884 to paint a portrait of a young woman named Alice Guérin (1870–1933). They fell in love, and married on 28 July 1886. Throughout their lives together, she was his favourite model. Charming, refined and graceful, she helped introduce them to the aristocratic circles of Paris, where they became popular fixtures.

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Portrait of Ellen, the artist’s daughter

Portrait of Ellen, the artist’s daughter

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Studies of the head of a young woman

Studies of the head of a young woman

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Madame Helleu reading with her daughter

Madame Helleu reading with her daughter

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Jean écrivant de profil

Jean écrivant de profil (1900-1902)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Madame Helleu debout

Madame Helleu debout (circa 1900)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Five head studies of a young lady

Five head studies of a young lady

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Portraits of the Artist’s Wife

Portraits of the Artist’s Wife

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
James MacNeill Whistler

James MacNeill Whistler (1897)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
James MacNeill Whistler

James MacNeill Whistler (1903)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Portrait Of Henri Rouart

Portrait Of Henri Rouart (1859–1927)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Reclining female nude

Reclining female nude

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
Woman Reclining on a Sofa

Woman Reclining on a Sofa (c.1900)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Drawings
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