Early Life and Training Born: Paris, France (1674) Died: 1734 Alexis Simon Belle was born in Paris, the second child and only son of Jean-Baptiste Belle, also a painter. His birth and baptism are recorded in the parish register of the church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris. He initially studied under his father before continuing his training in the studio of François de Troy (1645/46-1730). Troy was a painter at the court of King James II in exile at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Belle began producing work at Saint-Germain between 1698 and 1701. Career as a Portraitist Belle's style was…