Tamara de Lempicka's distinctive painting style was as glamorous as her subject matter-the writers, aristocrats, artists, and entertainers of Paris in the age of Art Deco. Born in Poland, De Lempicka (1898-1980) created highly mannered portraits using a trademark combination of soft, rounded forms set against architectural lines and shapes, reflecting the new sophisticated urbanity of her sitters. Capturing the nascent modernist spirit, her bold technique and palette rapidly won her acclaim as the quintessential Art Deco artist.

This book, published to accompany an exhibition at London's Royal Academy of Arts, concentrates on this extraordinary artist's most productive and recognized period, between 1922 and 1935, during which time her brand of Synthetic Cubism brilliantly captured the atmosphere of wealth and decadence for which Paris had become famous. Some 60 major works, superbly reproduced in lush color, confirm De Lempicka's reputation as one of the most iconic painters of her generation, and establish her place within the modern movement.