Emmanuel Bellini was a French architect, painter, draughtsman and figurative lithographer. Born in Monaco, he grew up during the height of the Belle Époque. He remembered a childhood full of sunshine and bright colours, watching aristocrats and holidaymakers enjoying the casinos, opera and coastline – joyful scenes that later inspired his art.

He studied at the Rocher drawing school, then worked for an architectural firm while teaching himself to paint. Combining his architectural career in Cannes with his love of art, he developed a prolific output influenced by Fauvism and Impressionism, using intense colour. He exhibited widely across the South of France.

Prince Rainier of Monaco was among his admirers and supported many of Bellini’s exhibitions.