Art Deco was one of the liveliest and most comprehensive of 20th century trends, embracing decorative arts, fine arts and fashion. This book looks at the least known of these - painting. The renowned art critic, Edward Lucie-Smith, analyzes the characteristics of the style, period and history of the movement, and discusses the various Art Deco painters, French, Italian, Russian, British and American. These artists, such as Tamara de Lempicka, Jean Dupas and Bernard Boutet de Monvel, were drawn to the luxury of the classical scene and the beauty of the speeding car, to the streamline of the metal skyscraper and the flesh of the rich and famous, which they portrayed in a most refreshing manner.