He studied in St. Petersburg in private of V. V. mate (1911), and then entered the Academy of fine arts (1912-1913). He took lessons from V. I. Shukhaev (1918). Participated in exhibitions since 1918 (Petrograd). Among his early works, mostly signed by the pseudonym (E. Nilych) – Portrait of V. V. Rozanov (etching, 1911), self Portrait (gouache, 1911-1912). Executed illustrations for the magazines "Ogonyok" (1911-1912), "the Sun of Russia" (1913-1914). In the 1920s, engaged in painting products at the State porcelain factory. Worked on the design of books for many publishers, including "Surf", "Academia", etc. Solo exhibition was held in 1951 in Leningrad.