Biography of Paul César Helleu 1859-1927

On 17th December 1859 Paul César Helleu was born to [his father] Pierre-César Helleu and [his mother] Marie-Esther Guyot at Vannes, Brittany.

In 1862 [his father] Pierre-César Helleu died.

In 1873 Paul César Helleu (age 13) was sent to Paris for his studies at Lycée Chaptal where one of his uncles teaches and where he discovers drawing.

In 1876 Paul César Helleu (age 16) was admitted to the studio of Jean-Léon Gérôme. With John Singer Sargent (age 19), he visits art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel for the second Impressionist exhibition. He meets Monet, whom he dines with that evening at the Café du Helder, becoming friends.

Around 1882 to 1885. John Singer Sargent (age 25). Portrait of Paul César Helleu (age 22).

Around 1883. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Paul César Helleu (age 23).

Around 1884 to 1885. Paul César Helleu (age 24). Portrait of the artist's future wife [his future wife] Alice Guérin (age 14). From the Musee Bonnat Helleu caption: Paul-César Helleu, an artist known for his mastery of pastel, received one of his first major commissions through the intervention of his friend Rafael de Ochoa y Madrazo. In 1884, he created a portrait for Mr. and Mrs. Louis-Guérin, depicting their 14-year-old daughter, Alice. In this portrait, Helleu demonstrates his skill in the pastel technique on canvas, working within a limited color palette. The gray and bluish-black tones elegantly highlight Alice's opulent red hair, with a certain sobriety that complements the young woman's reserved pose. This work was exhibited at the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français in Paris the following year, garnering the interest of critics. The portrait reflects two key aspects of Helleu's work: his talent as a pastellist and the emergence of an important model. Indeed, Helleu fell in love with Alice, whom he married in 1886. She quickly became the embodiment of the elegant woman, the loving mother, and the graceful wife, captured in her everyday gestures through all the techniques Helleu employed: painting, drawing, pastel, and engraving.

Alice Guérin: In 1870 she was born. On 28th July 1886 Paul César Helleu and she were married. In 1933 she died.

On 28th July 1886 Paul César Helleu (age 26) and Alice Guérin (age 16) were married.

1889. John Singer Sargent (age 32). "Paul Helleu (age 29) Sketching with His Wife".

In 1892 Paul César Helleu (age 32) was a witness at Claude Monet's second marriage.

In 1895 Paul César Helleu (age 35) exhibits at the Salon du Champs-de-Mars. The criticism is favorable: he receives particularly strong support from Roger Marx, who had shown interest in him since 1885 and does not fail to mention it in his article.

On 14th October 1896 [his daughter] Alice Helleu was born to Paul César Helleu (age 36) and [his wife] Alice Guérin (age 26). She died aged one in 1898.

In 1898 [his daughter] Alice Helleu (age 1) died in an accident during a walk in the Bois de Boulogne with her nurse and Jean-François Raffaëlli. To distract his wife, he rents a yacht, the Barbara.

In 1900 Paul César Helleu (age 40) buys the yacht Etoile and creates portraits of the Duchess of Marlborough (age 22) at Blenheim Palace.

Around 1903. Paul César Helleu (age 43). "The Duchess of Marlborough (age 25)".

1905. Paul César Helleu (age 45). "Mademoiselle Vaughan".

1905. Paul César Helleu (age 45). "Peggy Letellier".

On 23rd March 1927 Paul César Helleu (age 67) died.

In 1933 [his former wife] Alice Guérin (age 63) died.