Louis Icart Engraving Art Deco Woman and Cat Bird in Cage

  
Dimensions 39 x 27 cm. Impressed by his talent as a draftsman, his aunt takes him to Paris: she owned Maison Valmont, a prominent millinery during the Belle Époque. Louis is soon introduced to the world of illustration for fashion press. He draws for the periodical La Critique théâtrale and for haute couture house catalogs. Trained in engraving, he presents his original works at the Salon des humoristes: his portraits of women, of "Parisian women," begin to captivate the public; he is compared to Paul-César Helleu and Manuel Robbe. During the Great War, he is a pilot, goes on several aerial missions but does not stop drawing.

In 1920, he exhibits at the Simonson gallery (Paris), and then in 1922, in New York, at the Belmaison gallery, over thirty art deco style paintings. Following this exhibition, his engravings will enjoy some success in America until 1932. His body of work includes over 500 engravings. He also contributed to the illustration of around thirty books, including many erotic ones.

During the Occupation, he created a series of engravings entitled "The Exodus." His work fell into obscurity after the war, but sparked interest again when, in the 1970s, some of his early paintings were found in an attic. Price firm sold as is.