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Paul César Helleu - A Woman Seen From Behind Holding A Fan
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Paul César Helleu

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.

More Artworks by Paul César Helleu (View all 126 Artworks)

Madame Helleu Cradling Paulette in Her Arms

Madame Helleu Cradling Paulette in Her Arms (1904-1905)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Portrait of Belle da Costa Greene

Portrait of Belle da Costa Greene (1913)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Standing Nude

Standing Nude (1877)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Portrait de femme alanguie

Portrait de femme alanguie

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Jeu D’enfants

Jeu D’enfants

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Miss Taylor seated

Miss Taylor seated

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Élégante à la chaise lyre

Élégante à la chaise lyre

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Madame Liane de Pougy

Madame Liane de Pougy (1907)

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

Reclining female nude

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
En bateau

En bateau

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Portrait of a Young Lady with Hat

Portrait of a Young Lady with Hat

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Mrs. Law

Mrs. Law (1907)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Portrait de femme au chapeau

Portrait de femme au chapeau

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

Woman Reclining on a Sofa (c.1900)

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
Six Studies of the head of a Lady traditionally identified as Mrs. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney

Six Studies of the head of a Lady traditionally identified as Mrs. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney

Paul César Helleu (French, 1859-1927)
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