Born New York 1887 but worked mainly in Britain; after brief diplomatic career studied painting in New York and Paris; links with leading avant-garde artists and wrtiers of 1920s; began experimenting with photography in 1924, collaborating with Man Ray in producing 'photograms'; moved to London in 1925 and opened a portrait studio with Olivia Wyndham; in 1929 opened Curtis Moffat Ltd in London, an interior design company and gallery; pioneer in colour photography using tri-colour carbro process; commercial photography for major companys, often working in colour; returned to America in 1939 and resumed painting; died 1949.