Ritratto di J. M. Whistler
| Reference: | S42120 |
| Author | Paul Cesar HELLEU |
| Year: | 1903 ca. |
| Measures: | 102 x 150 mm |
€2,250.00
| Reference: | S42120 |
| Author | Paul Cesar HELLEU |
| Year: | 1903 ca. |
| Measures: | 102 x 150 mm |
€2,250.00
Description
Drypoint, circa 1903, unsigned. Magnificent proof, printed on contemporary laid paper, minimal oxidation, otherwise in perfect condition.
In 1897 Helleu made a first portrait of his friend and American colleague James Abbot MacNeill Whistler (Lowell, 10 July 1834 - London, 17 July 1903), an drypoint (BN-IFF 185, size 500x350 mm) signed and dated on a plate known as the "great" portrait of Whistler with the monocle. He printed only 28 copies and subsequently biffed the plate so that it would never be reprinted again - however, several proofs of the biffed plate are known, also preserved in museum collections.
In 1903 he executed this additional portrait drypoint, smaller in size, perhaps after having biffed the previous plate. The work is related to the year of Whistler's death; it is probable that the artist wanted to pay homage to his friend, copying his previous portrait. The work is very rare; only one example has been found at auction in the last 20 years.
Paul César Helleu (1859-1927) was a French painter and draftsman of Impressionism. In addition to his best-known oil portraits, Helleu produced a large number of sketches of women. Helleu's work had a decisive influence on early 20th century European art. In Paris, he encountered the revolutionary Impressionist movement and was fortunate enough to meet established painters such as Whistler, Claude Monet as well as Giovanni Boldini and John Singer Sargent who influenced both Helleu's career and his understanding of art. Newcomer Helleu soon established himself in wealthy Parisian society as a fashionable portrait painter; his wealthy clients included the Duchess of Marlborough, fashion designer Coco Chanel, and Helena Rubinstein. When he received the lucrative commission to paint the beautiful girl Alice Guérin in 1884, he fell in love with her and became his wife after two years. Alice remained his favorite model throughout his life and the most frequent motif of his portraits. Helleu's 1885 painting "Gare Saint Lazare" was one of his first Impressionist works. That same year he traveled to England, London, where he visited his friend Whistler, through whom he met the engraver James Tissot, who introduced him to the art of drypoint engraving, which offered him additional artistic dimensions for his creative ideas.
Magnificent example of this very rare work.
Paul Cesar HELLEU (1859 - 1927)
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Paul César Helleu (1859 – 1927) was a French artist best known for his portraits of beautiful Society women. He was born in Vannes, Brittany in 1859. He started as a ceramist but at the age of seventeen, despite the disapproval of his widowed mother, he went to Paris to study with Gérôme and at the École des Beaux-Arts. He became a close friend of John Singer Sargent, whom he met in Paris in 1878 when Helleu was 18 years old and Sargent 22. Already becoming known, Sargent was getting commissions for work. Helleu had not sold anything, was deeply discouraged and almost to the point of abandoning his studies. When Sargent heard this, he went to Helleu and picked one of his paintings, praising his technique. Flattered that Sargent would praise his work he offered to give it to him. Sargent replied, "I shall gladly accept, Helleu, but not as a gift. I sell my own pictures, and I know what they cost me by the time they are out of my hand. I should never enjoy this pastel if I hadn't paid you a fair and honest price for it." With this he paid him a thousand-franc note. This was perhaps the first thousand-franc note Helleu had ever seen. Paul Helleu Sketching with his Wife by John Singer Sargent 1889 Helleu was commissioned to paint a portrait of a young woman named Alice Guerin in 1884. They fell in love, and married two years later (28 July 1886). She was undoubtedly his favourite model. Charming, refined and graceful, she helped introduce them to the aristocratic circles of Paris, where they were popular fixtures. Portrait of Mlle Alice Guerin 1884 In 1904 he was awarded the Légion d’honneur and became one of the most celebrated artists of the Edwardian era in both Paris and London and an honorary member of the most important beaux-arts societies. He was a member of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Engravers and the Societaire de la Nationale des Beaux-Arts. He was decorated by the French Government with the Legion d’honneur in 1904. He was the creator of the astrological ceiling decoration in New York City's Grand Central Terminal completed in 1912. The ceiling of the Grand Central Terminal in New York City By the time of his last trip to New York City in 1920 he realised that the Belle Epoque was over. He felt out of touch and retired to his family life. He died in Paris of peritonitis in 1927.
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Paul Cesar HELLEU (1859 - 1927)
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Paul César Helleu (1859 – 1927) was a French artist best known for his portraits of beautiful Society women. He was born in Vannes, Brittany in 1859. He started as a ceramist but at the age of seventeen, despite the disapproval of his widowed mother, he went to Paris to study with Gérôme and at the École des Beaux-Arts. He became a close friend of John Singer Sargent, whom he met in Paris in 1878 when Helleu was 18 years old and Sargent 22. Already becoming known, Sargent was getting commissions for work. Helleu had not sold anything, was deeply discouraged and almost to the point of abandoning his studies. When Sargent heard this, he went to Helleu and picked one of his paintings, praising his technique. Flattered that Sargent would praise his work he offered to give it to him. Sargent replied, "I shall gladly accept, Helleu, but not as a gift. I sell my own pictures, and I know what they cost me by the time they are out of my hand. I should never enjoy this pastel if I hadn't paid you a fair and honest price for it." With this he paid him a thousand-franc note. This was perhaps the first thousand-franc note Helleu had ever seen. Paul Helleu Sketching with his Wife by John Singer Sargent 1889 Helleu was commissioned to paint a portrait of a young woman named Alice Guerin in 1884. They fell in love, and married two years later (28 July 1886). She was undoubtedly his favourite model. Charming, refined and graceful, she helped introduce them to the aristocratic circles of Paris, where they were popular fixtures. Portrait of Mlle Alice Guerin 1884 In 1904 he was awarded the Légion d’honneur and became one of the most celebrated artists of the Edwardian era in both Paris and London and an honorary member of the most important beaux-arts societies. He was a member of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Engravers and the Societaire de la Nationale des Beaux-Arts. He was decorated by the French Government with the Legion d’honneur in 1904. He was the creator of the astrological ceiling decoration in New York City's Grand Central Terminal completed in 1912. The ceiling of the Grand Central Terminal in New York City By the time of his last trip to New York City in 1920 he realised that the Belle Epoque was over. He felt out of touch and retired to his family life. He died in Paris of peritonitis in 1927.
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