The drawing lesson 

"The Drawing Lesson" is a pastel drawing by French artist Paul César Helleu, renowned for his elegant portraits. This artwork features a young boy, likely a child of the artist, engaged in the act of drawing. Helleu's signature soft and hazy style is evident in the delicate depiction of the child's features and the blurred background, capturing the quiet intimacy of a domestic scene. Helleu, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was known for his portraits of fashionable society figures, often using pastel as his medium. This artwork, with its focus on the child's concentration and the everyday activity of drawing, provides a glimpse into the artist's personal life and his ability to capture the innocence and beauty of childhood.