Timeline

Jean Helleu was born the 29th of November 1894 to Alice and Paul-César Helleu. At an early age, he was initiated to drawing as observed in the many works by his famous father of the young Jean with a sketchbook and pencil in his hand. He also shared with his father a love of the sea and sailing. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Grande Chaumière. His first exhibition took place in 1922 at the Galerie A. Decour where he displayed 'une centaine de petits panneaux et quelques croquis… à la gamme délicate, sobre et cependant chatoyante' (Arsène Alexandre - Le Figaro).

Though the influence of the Impressionists is evident, Jean Helleu especially admired the work of Jongkind. There followed exhibitions at the Galerie E. Druet (March to April 1926), the Galerie Jean Charpentier (February 1929), the Galerie Peltier (November 1943) and at the Musée de la Marine in 1949. Jean Helleu was appointed the official painter of the Navy in 1946 and received with this title several commissions from the French State.