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Paul César Helleu Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

French, 1859-1927
Rich impression with dramatic drypoint burr and tone no other artist epitomizes the whole atmosphere of elegance and hedonistic pleasure which pervaded Paris society at the first decade of the century as does Helleu. A close friend of Proust and the inspiration for one of the principal characters in La Recherche du Temps Perdu, Helleu’s whole life style echoed the incomparable elegance and flow of his drawing, the sheer style of his art, and his eye for the poses of the beautiful women who were his friends and his patrons. During the 1870’s, Helleu had come to know the painters of Impressionism and also artists Sargent and Whistler who became his special friends and inspiration. By the early 1880’s, he had already developed the quality of expressive sweeping line, which is the essence of his drawing, but in 1885 he was encouraged by Tissot to try working on prints in drypoint. At this time, Tissot had decided, after the death of his lover and model Kathleen Newton, to travel to the Holy Land on an artistic pilgrimage. Having decided he would no longer engrave, he gave Helleu his diamond stylus…a literal and figurative “passing of the baton”. It was in the incision and texture of drypoint that his art was to reach one of its greatest peaks. He had an innate feel for the balance between a lightly curving stroke and the deeply cut highly tonal burr of the strongest drypoint. Around the turn of the century he started to combine drypoint with multi-inking in colors, the areas of color restricted to such touches as the bows on the hats, the hair color or the red of the lips. The plate was drawn at a single sitting, and then the color inks were brushed onto it. The results are some of the most splendid and decorative of all Belle Époque prints.
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Artist: Paul César Helleu
Untitled (Young woman seen from the back)
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Young woman seen from the back) Sanguine crayon, charcola and watercolor on paper, c. 1910 Signed with the estate stamp, Lugt 5169 lower left corner Provenance: Estate of ...
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Early 1900s Impressionist Paul César Helleu Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Tea at the Ritz, New York
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Tea at the Ritz, New York Colored chalk, 1912 Signed with the estate stamp verso. (see photo) Authenticated by the artist's daughter, Mme Paulette Johnston. Image size: 10 5/8 x 10 1...
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1920s Art Nouveau Paul César Helleu Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Chalk

Original Drawing "Jeune Femme Assise" by Paul Cesar Helleu, c. 1910
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Hinsdale, IL
HELLEU, PAUL CÉSAR (1859 -1927) "JEUNE FEMME ASSISE" (Young Woman Seated) Original Drawing in sanguine, white and black chalks, c. 1910 Signed in pencil by artist, lower right Full M...
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Early 20th Century Impressionist Paul César Helleu Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Chalk, Carbon Pencil

Original Drawing "Jeune Femme Assise" by Paul Cesar Helleu, c. 1910
By Paul César Helleu
Located in Hinsdale, IL
HELLEU, PAUL CÉSAR (1859 -1927) "JEUNE FEMME ASSISE" (Young Woman Seated) Original Drawing in sanguine, white and black chalks, c. 1910 Signed in pencil by artist, lower right Full Margins on cream wove paperImage size: 17.5” x 11.02” Paul César Helleu...
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Early 20th Century Impressionist Paul César Helleu Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Chalk

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Paul César Helleu figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Paul César Helleu figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Paul César Helleu in chalk, charcoal, pencil and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Paul César Helleu figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Camille Pissarro, John Singer Sargent, and Les Anderson. Paul César Helleu figurative drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,500 and tops out at $39,500, while the average work can sell for $21,250.

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