Paul César Helleu is celebrated as one of the leading portrait artists of the Belle Époque, known for his elegant portrayals of fashionable women. His mastery in oil painting, pastels, and drypoint etching made him a prominent figure in capturing the opulence of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born in 1859 in Vannes, Brittany, Helleu studied at the Lycée Chaptal before entering the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris at 16, where he trained under Jean-Léon Gérôme. Despite early financial struggles, Helleu’s talent quickly gained attention, and by 18, he formed a close friendship with portraitist John Singer Sargent. Sargent’s guidance helped Helleu refine his style, especially in his portraits of society women, characterized by fluid lines, a subtle color palette, and an innate ability to convey both elegance and personality.
In addition to portraiture, Helleu was involved in significant public art projects. Notably, he designed the ceiling mural of constellations for New York's Grand Central Terminal, a work completed in the early 20th century and restored in 1998