Louis Icart was born in Toulouse, France. He began drawing at an early age. He was particularly interested in fashion, and became famous for his sketches almost immediately. He worked for major design studios at a time when fashion was undergoing a radical change-from the fussiness of the late nineteenth century to the simple, clingy lines of the early twentieth century.
Icart fought in World War I. He relied on his art to stem his anguish, sketching on every available surface. When he returned from the front he made art, prints and posters from those drawings.
Most of the art, prints and posters were aquatints and drypoints, showing great skill. Because they were much in demand, Icart frequently made two editions (one European, the other American) to satisfy his public. These prints are considered rare today, and when they are in mint condition they fetch high prices at auction.