Few artists captured the elegance and sophistication of the Belle Époque quite like Paul-César HELLEU (1859–1927). In this remarkable, large-scale drawing, Helleu brings together five studies of the same woman, exploring her features, expressions and elaborate hairstyles with extraordinary delicacy. Executed in black and red chalk with subtle touches of white, the composition beautifully demonstrates the artist’s virtuosity and his exceptional ability to capture feminine grace. The sitter is Jeanne Tachard (1870–1963), who would later become a celebrated Parisian milliner, an influential collector and a prominent patron of the Art Deco movement, notably supporting the work of Pierre Legrain. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this rare and ambitious sheet offers a fascinating connection between the elegance of Belle Époque society and the artistic modernity of the early twentieth century. Signed and accepted for inclusion in Helleu’s forthcoming digital catalogue raisonné, the drawing stands as a particularly compelling example of the artist’s graphic mastery.
Expertise - English
Expertise - French