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Paul Helleu (French, 1859-1927).

[Portrait Of A Society Lady]

c1905. Drypoint, signed in pencil on image lower left, 53.9 x 33cm. Minor stains and paper loss to image lower right, old mount burn.

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. His commissions also included the ceiling mural of night sky constellations for Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Awarded the Légion d’honneur in 1904, Helleu became one of the most celebrated artists of the Edwardian era in both Paris and London. He was an honorary member of 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 Helleu’s many friends was Coco Chanel, who chose beige as her signature colour upon the advice of the artist who compared it to “the colour of the sand on the beach of Biarritz in the early morning.” Both Helleu’s son Jean and his grandson Jacques became artistic directors for Parfums Chanel. Ref: Wiki.

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Item #CL184-82

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