Catherine Barjansky, born in Odesa, Ukraine, in 1890, was a sculptor, writer, visual artist, and educator. She is most widely known for her sculptures depicting prominent personalities of her day such as Einstein, Freud and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, who was a personal friend. However, she also chose more down to earth subjects like ‘Seated Woman and her dog’ or ‘Russian Peasant’.   Catherine Barjansky began her study of sculpture in Monaco at the age of 20, and went on to open a school in Rome, where she taught for several years. In 1939 she moved to New York. ‘Portraits with Backgrounds’ is her autobiography, written in association with Elinore Denniston, an American author of more than 40 mystery novels. Published by Geoffrey Bles in London 1948. The frontispiece is a portrait (monochrome)  of the Queen of Naples. In good condition (terracotta cloth) with binding intact. Slight foxing to the endpapers. Very slight water stain to top edge, but a good reading copy.