Paul César Helleu | Belle Époque painter

Paul César Helleu (1859-1927) 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.

His work epitomises the charm and elegance of French culture at the time - the Belle Époque - with all its verve and focus on fashion.

Helleu immortalised many beautiful women in paint and graphite because he became the darling of fashionable, aristocratic ladies at the time, including Coco Chanel🎨.

Helleu was born in Vannes in 1859 and moved to Paris as a young man. He later became a pupil of Jean-Leon Gérome🎨 at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts and became a lifelong friend of fellow student John Singer Sargent🎨.

Gérome was to buy his first painting. Artists including Monet🎨, Rodin🎨 and Tissot🎨 also recognised his talent whilst he was studying in Paris (he was later formally accepted as part of the Impressionist group).

In 1904, Helleu was awarded🎨 the Légion d'honneur and became one of the most celebrated artists of the Edwardian era in both Paris and London.

He was an honorary member in important beaux-arts societies, including the International Society of Painters, Sculptors and Engravers, headed by Auguste Rodin and the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts.

Among many of Helleu's friends was Coco Chanel, who picked beige as her signature colour upon the advice of the artist - the colour of the sand on the beach of Biarritz in the early morning.

Paul César Helleu era un pittore, incisore e designer Francese🎨.

Paul César Helleu ha lavorato come pittore ed incisore in Francia all'inizio del secolo.

Il suo lavoro incarna il fascino e l'eleganza della cultura francese dell'epoca - la Belle Époque - con tutta la sua verve ed attenzione alla moda.

Helleu immortalò molte belle donne in pittura e grafite perché divenne il prediletto delle signore alla moda e aristocratiche, tra cui Coco Chanel🎨.

Helleu nacque a Vannes nel 1859 e si trasferì a Parigi da giovane. In seguito divenne allievo di Jean-Leon Gérome🎨 all'École Nationale des Beaux-Arts e divenne amico per tutta la vita del compagno di studi John Singer Sargent🎨.

Gérome doveva comprare il suo primo dipinto. Anche artisti come Monet🎨, Rodin🎨 e Tissot 🎨hanno riconosciuto il suo talento mentre studiava a Parigi (in seguito fu formalmente accettato come parte del gruppo impressionista).

Nel 1904, Helleu ricevette la Legion d'Onore e divenne uno degli artisti più celebri dell'era edoardiana sia a Parigi che a Londra.

È stato membro onorario di importanti società di belle arti, tra cui la Società internazionale di pittori, scultori e incisori, guidata da Auguste Rodin e la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts.

Tra i molti amici di Helleu c'era Coco Chanel, che scelse il beige come colore distintivo su consiglio dell'artista: il colore della sabbia sulla spiaggia di Biarritz al mattino presto. Sia suo figlio Jean Helleu che suo nipote Jacques Helleu sono diventati direttori artistici di Parfums Chanel.

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